TO COVET HONOR

by

Robert Eley

By Jove, I am not covetous for gold,
Nor care I who doth feed upon my cost;
It yearns me not if men my garments wear;
Such outward things dwell not in my desires:
But if it be a sin to covet honor,
I am the most offending soul alive.

King Henry the Fifth, Act IV, scene iii.

Author's Note:
As should be obvious to anyone who reads it, this is a work of fiction. While the technical aspects of the story-especially those related to computer history-are as factual as possible (given a little dramatic license, of course), the main events are figments of my imagination. As are the characters: good, bad, honorable, or contemptuous. If I have inadvertently used your name, or that of someone you know, it was unintentional, and I apologize for any embarrassment it may cause.
However ...
The background political events, in particular those relating to Canada's nuclear defense policies in the sixties, the actions of historical political figures, and the (subjective) reactions of members of the military, are based on history and my personal experiences as a serving officer in the Royal Canadian Air Force. If readers wish to sort out fact from fiction, I suggest they delve into newspaper files, contemporary accounts, and history books.
R.E.

Prologue