Page 9 - An Evening with Maxwell's Daemons

The Space Hulk

Earth, who becomes the hero? Make a run for it with pilots forced
to take them home, knowing or expecting the high chance of being
shot down before they get very far? This is a sad sort of
denouement, but realistic.”
“Finally, and most unlikely of all, verging on apocalyptic
redemption: the unexpected revelation that all the years in orbit
have functioned as an evolutionary crucible: the survivors are, in
fact, the only humans fit for deep space travel, exploration and
ultimately life off-world. And maybe thirty years in the future would
seem a credible tipping point for humanity’s converging
catastrophes to force the survival of the species to be dependent
upon planetary emigration. The denizens of the hulk—or hulks—
could lead the way to Mars or wherever; presuming, of course, that
such voyages would be technically feasible by then—also not a
stretch.”
“Hmm.” Hydrargyrum smirked. “Then you’d need some females
of child-bearing age up there, too.”
“Plenty of women of all types are political prisoners these days,”
Perversity rejoined. “Fearless reporters, freedom fighters, even
elected officials. No problem!”
“Yes, yes, I understand,” said Mauker hastily. “But which of
these avenues is the one I should travel?”
“I think they are all good, in greater or lesser degree.”
Feghootsky had a judicious air. “And their relative value may
depend on your comfort level or ability to get involved with the
characters and their trials and tribulations. Or, from a commercial
viewpoint, what would appeal to an editor or publisher? I like the
irony of the most wretched of the wretched becoming heroes. But
that’s me.”
Schlager spoke up. “Since the situation is, in many ways, trite,
and the characters almost stock, the appeal to me would be in the
technology deployed to achieve whatever end is desired. The kids
today want to read about advanced weaponry, with or without
robotic control.”
“I’m on exactly the opposite wavelength, of course,” said
Diggers. “And ignoring the female angle will turn off all the girls

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