Deception Point Page 37

Ekstrom scowled. So is it possible or non? non on your life, Norah said flatly. Tot all(prenominal)y impossible. I would remove hit pockets of douse starter in my core samples.Core samples ar drilled basically in random spots, right? Rachel asked. Is there any chance the cores placements, exclusively by bad luck, could have missed a pocket of ocean ice?I drilled directly down over the meteorite. so I drilled multiple cores only a few yards on either side. You ratt get any closer.Just asking.The point is moot, Norah said. Brine interstices breathe only in seasonal ice-ice that forms and melts every season. The Milne Ice Shelf is profligate ice-ice that forms in the mountains and holds fast until it migrates to the calving zone and falls into the sea. As convenient as snappy plankton would be for explaining this mysterious little phenomenon, I can guarantee there are no hidden networks of frozen plankton in this glacier.The group fly silent again.Despite the stark rebutt al of the frozen plankton theory, Rachels systematic analysis of the data refused to accept the rejection. Instinctively, Rachel knew that the presence of frozen plankton in the glacier beneath them was the simplest solution to the riddle. The Law of Parsimony, she thought. Her NRO instructors had driven it into her subconscious. When multiple explanations exist, the simplest is ordinarily correct.Norah Mangor manifestly had a lot to lose if her ice-core data was wrong, and Rachel wondered if maybe Norah had seen the plankton, realized shed make a mistake in claiming the glacier was solid, and was now simply trying to contend her tracks. all told I have it off, Rachel said, is that I unspoilt briefed the entire White sign staff and told them this meteorite was discovered in a pristine matrix of ice and had been sealed there, untouched by fall forbiddenside influence since 1716, when it broke mutilate of a famous meteorite called the Jungersol. This fact now appears to be in roughly question.The NASA administrator was silent, his ex extortion grave.Tolland cleared his throat. I have to agree with Rachel. in that respect was saltwater and plankton in the pool. No matter what the explanation is, that shaft is manifestly not a closed environment. We cant order it is.Corky was mannering uncomfortable. Um, folks, not to sound like the astrophysicist here, but in my field when we make mistakes, were usually off by billions of years. Is this little plankton/saltwater mix-up really all that important? I mean, the perfection of the ice surrounding the meteorite in no way affects the meteorite itself, right? We still have the fossils. Nobody is questioning their authenticity. If it turns by weve made a mistake with the ice-core data, nobody entrust really care. All theyll care ab forth is that we found proof of life on another(prenominal) planet.Im sorry, Dr. Marlinson, Rachel said, as whateverone who analyzes data for a living, I have to disagree. what soever tiny flaw in the data NASA presents tonight has the potential to draw up doubt over the credibility of the entire discovery. Including the authenticity of the fossils.Corkys jaw fell open. What are you talking about? Those fossils are irrefutableI know that. You know that. But if the public catches wind that NASA knowingly presented ice-core data that was in question, trust me, they will immediately start wondering what else NASA lied about.Norah stepped forward, look flashing. My ice-core data is not in question. She turned to the administrator. I can bear to you, categorically, that there is no brine ice trapped anywhere in this ice shelfThe administrator eyed her a long moment. How?Norah adumbrate her plan. When she was done, Rachel had to admit, the idea sounded like a reasonable one.The administrator did not look so sure. And the results will be definitive?One hundred share confirmation, Norah assured him. If theres one goddamn ounce of frozen saltwater anywhere ne ar that meteorite shaft, you will see it. Even a few droplets will light up on my gear like Times Square.The administrators os frontale furrowed beneath his military buzz cut. Theres not much time. The press meeting is in a couple of hours.I can be back in twenty minutes.How far out on the glacier did you say you have to go?Not far. Two hundred yards should do it.Ekstrom nodded. are you certain its safe?Ill take flares, Norah replied. And microphone will go with me.Tollands headway shot up. I will?You sure as hell will, Mike Well be trineed. Id appreciate a strong set of arms out there if the wind whips up.But-Shes right, the administrator said, turning to Tolland. If she goes, she cant go alone. Id send some of my men with her, but frankly, Id rather keep this plankton issue to ourselves until we figure out if its a problem or not.Tolland gave a reluctant nod.Id like to go too, Rachel said.Norah spun like a cobra. The hell you will.Actually, the administrator said, as if an idea had just occurred to him, I think Id feel safer if we used the standard quad tether configuration. If you go dual, and Mike slips, youll never hold him. Four people are a lot safer than two. He paused glancing at Corky. That would mean either you or Dr. Ming. Ekstrom glanced around the habisphere. Where is Dr. Ming, anyway?I havent seen him in a while, Tolland said. He might be catching a nap.Ekstrom turned to Corky. Dr. Marlinson, I cannot require that you go out with them, and yet-What the hell? Corky said. Seeing as everyone is getting on so well.No Norah exclaimed. Four people will slow us down. Mike and I are waiver alone.You are not dismission alone. The administrators tone was final. Theres a reason tethers are built as quads, and were going to do this as safely as possible. The last thing I need is an accident a couple hours before the biggest press conference in NASAs history.43Gabrielle Ashe felt a precarious uncertainty as she sat in the heavy air of Marjorie Tenchs office. What could this woman possibly desire with me? Behind the rooms sole desk, Tench leaned back in her chair, her hard features seem to radiate pleasure with Gabrielles discomfort.Does the smoke bother you? Tench asked, tapping a new-made cigarette from her pack.No, Gabrielle lied.Tench was already lighting up anyway. You and your candidate have taken quite an interest in NASA during this campaign.True, Gabrielle snapped, making no perspiration to hide her anger, thanks to some creative encouragement. Id like an explanation.Tench gave an impoverished pout. You want to know why Ive been sending you e-mail fodder for your fall upon on NASA?The information you sent me hurt your President.In the short run, yes.The unfortunate tone in Tenchs voice made Gabrielle uneasy. Whats that supposed to mean?Relax, Gabrielle. My e-mails didnt switch things much. Senator Sexton was NASA-bashing long before I stepped in. I simply helped him elucidate his message. Solidify his position.S olidify his position?Exactly. Tench smiled, revealing stained teeth. Which, I must say, he did quite effectively this afternoon on CNN.Gabrielle recalled the senators reply to Tenchs fence-buster question. Yes, I would act to abolish NASA. Sexton had gotten himself cornered, but hed played out of the rough with a strong drive. It was the right move. Wasnt it? From Tenchs contented look, Gabrielle sensed there was information missing.