Deception Point Page 24

In that same edition, paleobiologist Stephen Jay Gould summed up the problems with ALH84001 by pointing out that the evidence in it was chemical and inferential, rather than solid, like an unequivocal b unrivaled or shell.Now, however, Rachel realized NASA had found irrefutable proof. No skeptical scientist could possibly step forward and question these fossils. NASA was no longer touting blurry, enlarged photos of alleged microscopic bacteria-they were offering up real meteorite samples where bio-organisms visible to the naked eye had been embedded in the stone. Foot-long liceRachel had to laugh when she realized shed been a childhood fan of a song by David Bowie that referred to spiders from Mars. Few would have guessed how close the androgynous British pop star would come to foreseeing astrobiologys greatest moment.As the distant strains of the song ran by Rachels mind, Corky hurried up behind her. Has Mike bragged about his documentary yet?Rachel replied, No, entirely Id love to hear about it.Corky slapped Tolland on the back. Go for it, big boy. Tell her why the President decided that the most important moment in science history should be handed over to a snorkeling TV star.Tolland groaned. Corky, if you dont mind?Fine, Ill explain, Corky said, prying his way in between them. As you probably know, Ms. sacristan, the President will be giving a press conference tonight to tell the world about the meteorite. Because the vast majority of the world is made up of half-wits, the President asked Mike to come onboard and silent everything down for them.Thanks, Corky, Tolland said. Very nice. He looked at Rachel. What Corkys trying to say is that because at that places so much scientific data to convey, the President thought a short ocular documentary about the meteorite might help make the information more accessible to mainstream America, mevery of whom, oddly, dont have advanced degrees in astrophysics.Did you know, Corky said to Rachel, that Ive moreover learned our nations President is a closet fan of Amazing Seas? He shook his head in mock disgust. Zach Herney-the ruler of the free world-has his secretary memorialise Mikes program so he can decompress after a long day.Tolland shrugged. The mans got taste, what can I say?Rachel was now starting to realize plainly how masterful the Presidents plan was. Politics was a media game, and Rachel could already imagine the enthusiasm and scientific credibility the face of Michael Tolland on-screen would bring to the press conference. Zach Herney had recruited the ideal man to digest his little NASA coup. Skeptics would be hard-pressed to challenge the Presidents data if it came from the nations top off television science personality as well as several respected civilian scientists.Corky said, Mikes already taken video sediments from all of us civilians for his documentary, as well as from most of the top NASA specialists. And Ill bet my National Medal that youre abutting on his list. Rachel turned and eyed him. Me? What are you talking about? I have no credentials. Im an intelligence liaison.Then why did the President send you up here?He hasnt told me yet.An amused grin crossed Corkys lips. Youre a White House intelligence liaison who deals in clarification and authentication of data, right?Yes, but nothing scientific.And youre the daughter of the man who built a campaign around criticizing the money NASA has wasted in space?Rachel could hear it coming.You have to admit, Ms. Sexton, Ming chimed in, a deposition from you would give this documentary a whole new dimension of credibility. If the President displace you up here, he must want you to participate somehow.Rachel again flashed on William Pickerings concern that she was being used.Tolland checked his watch. We should probably head over, he said, motioning toward the center of the habisphere. They should be getting close.Close to what? Rachel asked.Extraction time. NASA is bringing the meteorite to the surf ace. It should be up any time now.Rachel was stunned. You guys are actually removing an eight-ton rock from under two hundred feet of solid ice?Corky looked gleeful. You didnt think NASA was going to leave a baring like this buried in the ice, did you?No, but, Rachel had seen no signs of large-scale excavation equipment anywhere inside the habisphere. How the heck is NASA planning on getting the meteorite out?Corky puffed up. No problem. Youre in a room full of rocket scientistsBlather, Ming scoffed, looking at Rachel. Dr. Marlinson enjoys flexing other peoples muscles. The truth is that everyone here was stumped about how to get the meteorite out. It was Dr. Mangor who proposed a viable solution.I havent met Dr. Mangor.Glaciologist from the University of New Hampshire, Tolland said. The fourth and final civilian scientist recruited by the President. And Ming here is correct, it was Mangor who figured it out.Okay, Rachel said. So what did this guy propose?Gal, Ming corrected, sou nding smitten. Dr. Mangor is a woman.Debatable, Corky grumbled. He looked over at Rachel. And by the way, Dr. Mangor is going to hate you.Tolland shot Corky an angry look.Well, she will Corky defended. Shell hate the competition.Rachel felt anomic. Im sorry? Competition? brush aside him, Tolland said. Unfortunately, the fact that Corky is a total moron somehow escaped the National Science Committee. You and Dr. Mangor will get along fine. She is a professional. Shes considered one of the worlds top glaciologists. She actually moved to Antarctica for a few years to study glacial movement.Odd, Corky said, I heard UNH took up a donation and sent her there so they could get some peace and quiet on campus.Are you aware, Ming snapped, seeming to have taken the comment personally, that Dr. Mangor almost died down there She got lost in a storm and lived on seal blubber for five weeks before anyone found her.Corky whispered to Rachel, I heard no one was looking.26The limousine ride back fro m the CNN studio to Sextons office felt long for Gabrielle Ashe. The senator sat across from her, gazing out the window, obviously gloating over the debate.They sent Tench to an afternoon cable show, he said, turning with a handsome smile. The White House is getting frantic.Gabrielle nodded, noncommittal. Shed sensed a look of smug gratification on Marjorie Tenchs face as the woman drove off. It made her nervous.Sextons personal cellphone rang, and he fished in his pocket to grab it. The senator, like most politicians, had a hierarchy of phone numbers at which his contacts could reach him, depending on how important they were. Whoever was calling him now was at the top of the list the call was coming in on Sextons private line, a number even Gabrielle was discouraged to call.Senator Sedgewick Sexton, he chimed, accentuating the musical quality of his name.Gabrielle couldnt hear the caller over the sound of the limo, but Sexton listened intently, replying with enthusiasm. Fantastic. Im so pleased you called. Im thinking six oclock? Super. I have an apartment here in D.C. Private. Comfortable. You have the address, right? Okay. Looking forward to meeting you. catch you tonight then.