“But we're not equipped to monitor the sun.” Arnold protested.
Arnold was putting on a good show of looking like he was lost, but Michael had the distinct impression the man was not confused in the least. “We're observing sunrise and sunset, and I'm only interested in associated phenomena around the sun at those times,” he explained.
“But we've got Big Bear to give us what you want!”
Michael threw up his hands. “Don't you think I've already tried? They're as tight as a fish’s arse. Just the way NASA and the USAF like it.”
“Don't forget the National Science Foundation also funds them.”
“Another government agency!” Michael snorted with indignation. “Come on. I want data today. Not in two months time or two years. Even then, all I'd get is what …show more content…
“Don't you think I've tried all of them? Either they haven't got what I want, or else they're forbidden to release what they've got.”
“Then leave it alone.”
Michael stared at him. “Are you really interested in science at all, Arnold?”
“Of course I am. Don't be ridiculous!” Arnold gave a snort of indignation. He folded his arms and examined his shoes, refusing to meet Michael’s penetrating gaze.
“Then why are you defending the stupidity of short-sighted politicians who don't care a flying fig about what's out there?”
Arnold lifted his head and peered up at him. “Perhaps because scientific endeavor cannot survive without funding,” he replied evenly. His voice was as brittle as thin ice.
Michael rolled his eyes. “Governments get most of the money for research from the taxpayers. Least they did the last I knew.”
“What do most taxpayers know or care about science?”
Michael jabbed a finger in Arnold's direction. “Listen to yourself man. You're sounding like a bloody robot. A bloody clone!”
Arnold blinked up at Michael as he considered what else he needed to say. Then he swung his chair around to face his own desktop. He tapped the keyboard several times, waiting as his work came up on the screen. The conversation between the two had
Arnold was putting on a good show of looking like he was lost, but Michael had the distinct impression the man was not confused in the least. “We're observing sunrise and sunset, and I'm only interested in associated phenomena around the sun at those times,” he explained.
“But we've got Big Bear to give us what you want!”
Michael threw up his hands. “Don't you think I've already tried? They're as tight as a fish’s arse. Just the way NASA and the USAF like it.”
“Don't forget the National Science Foundation also funds them.”
“Another government agency!” Michael snorted with indignation. “Come on. I want data today. Not in two months time or two years. Even then, all I'd get is what …show more content…
“Don't you think I've tried all of them? Either they haven't got what I want, or else they're forbidden to release what they've got.”
“Then leave it alone.”
Michael stared at him. “Are you really interested in science at all, Arnold?”
“Of course I am. Don't be ridiculous!” Arnold gave a snort of indignation. He folded his arms and examined his shoes, refusing to meet Michael’s penetrating gaze.
“Then why are you defending the stupidity of short-sighted politicians who don't care a flying fig about what's out there?”
Arnold lifted his head and peered up at him. “Perhaps because scientific endeavor cannot survive without funding,” he replied evenly. His voice was as brittle as thin ice.
Michael rolled his eyes. “Governments get most of the money for research from the taxpayers. Least they did the last I knew.”
“What do most taxpayers know or care about science?”
Michael jabbed a finger in Arnold's direction. “Listen to yourself man. You're sounding like a bloody robot. A bloody clone!”
Arnold blinked up at Michael as he considered what else he needed to say. Then he swung his chair around to face his own desktop. He tapped the keyboard several times, waiting as his work came up on the screen. The conversation between the two had