Page 39 - Unlikely Stories 4

La Force de Frappe

“Somewhat.” Marteau nodded slightly, no more than a minimal
gesture of gratitude. “I am concerned primarily about the force de frappe.”
“Ah, yes, our nuclear arsenal. Well, I can appreciate your interest.
Some of the more radical elements in my party favor abolishing all such
weapons of mass destruction, as they are known in the American press.
I would not be sitting here without their support, and they are well
aware of that fact.”
“Therefore you understand the necessity of this meeting.”
Laroche sighed heavily.
“General Marteau, your responsibility, as you perceive it, to protect
the nation, is an overriding directive. Nothing in your world conflicts
with it, no alternatives are likely to be entertained. In times of peace,
the civilian populace is never so unambivalent: they do not wish to lose
another war; but neither are they as clear as you are on the need for
keeping our potential enemies at bay with the threat of mutual assured
destruction.”
“Resolving contradictions in public opinion is your job, Monsieur.
Previous governments have been able to present a convincing case for
stockpiling and testing hydrogen bombs.”
Laroche leaned forward.
“History does not allow us to stand still. Institutions change
inexorably, driven by the real circumstances in which they exist. They
are not living entities, but paradoxically the human beings supporting
them do not keep pace with that rate of progress. Some people are
behind, some are ahead. If the person at the center of government—in
this case, me—is to represent fairly the electorate, he must position
himself at the midpoint of that range of development, regardless of
where that locates him relative to other organs of the state.”
“I cannot agree,” replied Marteau. “Technology is what keeps us
moving, either in the vanguard or far behind the last wagon. History
has proven itself circular. Those who are still fighting the last war in
their minds instead of preparing for the next one will not be on the
winning side.”
“The next war! I am surprised at such talk, General. France is at
peace, embedded in a new Europe committed to prosperity and the
withering away of borders. Science has brought us means of transport
and communication revolutionary in themselves. The isolated garrison-
state and the imperial expansion-state are relics of the past. Multi-
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