Michaels smiled, tiredly. “You need to see the angles. We have to position ourselves so we’re in the part of the budget that gets expanded, not the part that gets cut. If all that money is going to flow into defense, then we’ve got to be in the way of that flow. Divert a little bit.” He sipped his drink. “Then you have Reagan himself. That old ham. You know, I’ve been working with Reagan and his people since he was nominated. And I think it’s possible he might want to emulate Kennedy. Or rather, finally put Kennedy in his box, after all these years. You know that in the Republican platform last year, Reagan attacked Carter/Kennedy for not keeping up NASA’s funding the way they should have. Now, he has to deliver on that.

“And maybe, for Reagan, the state of flux we’re in after the NERVA thing is an opportunity. A chance for him to shape events. The space program is like a litmus test for new administrations when they come in, a way for them to prove themselves. You had Kennedy and the Moon, and Nixon and his long-range Mars program… Joe, I think if we could come up with some program, some clear goal, that promised to restore our image, and put us back in the lead in space in a few years time — say, in five or six years, within his possible term of office — Reagan might buy it.” His rheumy eyes gleamed. “And now’s the time to strike, while his administration is settling in. But—”

“But what?”

“But Reagan’s no Kennedy. And Bush sure as hell is no LBJ. An announcement isn’t enough. I’m not sure if we’re going to be able to assemble, and keep, a coalition of interests behind any such program. And besides, if NERVA’s a busted flush, what the hell do we have to give Reagan anyhow, Joe?” He poured himself another drink. “Ah, God. I tell you, I don’t know if I can do it anymore. I’ve used up a lot of credit on the Hill over the years, in the endless program delays and overspends. And now this NERVA thing. I don’t know if I can go in there and start fighting again. I don’t know if I should even be trying anymore.”

He’s thinking of giving up, Muldoon realized The sudden perception was painful to him, almost a physical shock. Fuck. How come I haven’t seen this before?

Because, he thought, he hadn’t wanted to admit it.

A NASA without Fred Michaels at the top was all but inconceivable to Muldoon, as it no doubt was to most Americans.