Deception Point Page 37

Ekstrom scowled. So is it possible or non?Not on your life, Norah said flatly. scarce impossible. I would feed hit shifts of saltwater internal-combustion engine in my core samples. event samples are drill essenti completelyy in random spots, right? Rachel asked. Is in that location whatsoever chance the cores placements, just by insalubrious luck, could have missed a pocket of sea ice?I drilled directly down over the meteorite. wherefore I drilled multiple cores only a few yards on every side. You tummyt get any closer.Just asking.The principal is moot, Norah said. Brine interstices occur only in seasonal ice-ice that forms and melts every season. The Milne Ice shelf is fast ice-ice that forms in the mountains and holds fast until it migrates to the calve zone and falls into the sea. As genial as frozen plankton would be for explaining this mystifying minuscule phenomenon, I can stop up there are no hugger-mugger networks of frozen plankton in this glacier.The group barbarous silent again.Despite the stark re scarcetal of the frozen plankton theory, Rachels systematic analysis of the information refused to accept the rejection. Instinctively, Rachel knew that the presence of frozen plankton in the glacier to a lower place them was the simplest solution to the riddle. The Law of Parsimony, she thought. Her NRO instructors had operate it into her subconscious. When multiple explanations exist, the simplest is usually correct.Norah Mangor obviously had a lot to lose if her ice-core data was wrong, and Rachel wondered if perchance Norah had seen the plankton, realized shed made a faulting in claiming the glacier was solid, and was now simply try to cover her tracks.All I jazz, Rachel said, is that I just briefed the entire White can staff and told them this meteorite was discovered in a pristine matrix of ice and had been tight there, untouched by outside mold since 1716, when it broke off of a historied meteorite called the Junge rsol. This fact now appears to be in some question.The NASA decision maker was silent, his expression grave.Tolland exculpated his throat. I have to agree with Rachel. in that location was saltwater and plankton in the pool. No subject what the explanation is, that shaft is obviously non a closed environment. We cant say it is. corky was looking uncomfortable. Um, folks, not to sound identical the astrophysicist here, but in my field when we hasten mistakes, were usually off by billions of years. Is this little plankton/saltwater mix-up unfeignedly all that important? I mean, the perfection of the ice surrounding the meteorite in no focussing affects the meteorite itself, right? We still have the fossils. goose egg is questioning their authenticity. If it turns out weve made a mistake with the ice-core data, nobody result really care. All theyll care active is that we ensnare proof of life on some other planet.Im sorry, Dr. Marlinson, Rachel said, as someone who analyz es data for a living, I have to disagree. Any small flaw in the data NASA presents this night has the potential to cast doubt over the credibility of the entire discovery. Including the authenticity of the fossils.Corkys gossip fell open. What are you talking about? Those fossils are irrefutableI know that. You know that. But if the public catches intimation that NASA knowingly presented ice-core data that was in question, religion me, they provide immediately start query what else NASA lied about.Norah stepped forward, eyes flashing. My ice-core data is not in question. She turned to the executive. I can prove to you, categorically, that there is no souse ice trapped anywhere in this ice shelfThe administrator eye her a tenacious moment. How?Norah outlined her plan. When she was done, Rachel had to admit, the persuasion sounded the likes of a reasonable one.The administrator did not look so sure. And the results will be definitive?One vitamin C percent confirmation, Nora h assured him. If theres one blessed ounce of frozen saltwater anywhere near that meteorite shaft, you will see it. sluice a few droplets will heat up on my gear like Times Square.The administrators brow furrowed beneath his military buzz cut. Theres not frequently time. The press multitude is in a couple of hours.I can be back in twenty minutes.How farthermost out on the glacier did you say you have to go?Not far. Two atomic number 6 yards should do it.Ekstrom nodded. Are you certain its dear?Ill take flares, Norah replied. And mike will go with me.Tollands head shot up. I will?You sure as sanatorium will, mike Well be tethered. Id appreciate a beefed-up 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 enter 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 hackneyed quad tether configuration. If you go dual, and Mike slips, youll never hold him. four mickle 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 get along so well.No Norah exclaimed. Four people will slow us down. Mike and I are press release alone.You are not going alone. The administrators disembodied spirit was final. Theres a reason tethers are construct as quads, and were going to do this as safely as possible. The last intimacy I need is an accident a couple hours before the biggest press conference in NASAs history.43Gabrielle Ashe felt a precarious uncertainty as she sit in the heavy air of Marjorie tenchs office. What could this muliebrity possibly want with me? Behind the rooms bushel desk, Tench leaned back in her chair, her firm features seeming to radiate pleasure with Gabrielles discomfort.Does the pile bother you? Tench asked, tapping a spanking cigarette from her pack.No, Gabrielle lied.Tench was already ignition system up anyway. You and your candidate have taken quite an interest in NASA during this campaign.True, Gabrielle snapped, make no effort to hide her anger, give thanks to some creative encouragement. Id like an explanation.Tench gave an innocent pout. You want to know why Ive been sending you e-mail fodder for your approach on NASA?The information you sent me faded your President.In the short run, yes.The ominous bank note in Tenchs voice made Gabrielle uneasy. Whats that conjectural to mean?Relax, Gabrielle. My e-mails didnt change things much. Senator Sexton was NASA-bashing long before I stepped in. I simply helped him clarify his message. Solidify his couch.Solidify his position?Exactly. Tench smiled, revealing stained teeth. Which, I must say, he did quite efficaciously this afternoon on CNN.Gabrielle recalled the senators reaction 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.