Deception Point Page 62

Pickering seemed to consider this a long time, lightly stroking his tie. And yet taking into account the amount NASA has to gain from this denudation decent at one time, the app atomic number 18nt signs of tampering with evidence, and your being attacked the first and only uniform conclusion I can draw is that this meteorite is a well-executed fraud.Impossible corked sounded angry instanter. With all respect, sir, meteorites are not some Hollywood limit effect that can be conjured up in a testing ground to fool a bunch of unsuspecting astrophysicists. They are chemically interwoven objects with unique crystalline structures and element ratiosI am not dispute you, Dr. Marlinson. I am simply following a logical reach of analysis. Considering someone wanted to vote disclose you to keep you from revealing it was inserted nether the ice, Im habituated to entertain all kinds of wild scenarios here. What specifically makes you certain this rock is then a meteorite?Specifical ly? Corkys voice cracked in the headphones. A unflawed fusion crust, the presence of chondrules, a nickel ratio unlike anything always found on earth. If youre suggesting that someone tricked us by manufacturing this rock in a laboratory, then all I can dictate is that the lab was about 190 billion years old. Corky dug in his pocket and pulled out a orchestra pit shaped like a CD. He held it in front of the camera. We chemically date smacks like this with many methods. Rubidium-strontium dating is not something you can fakePickering looked surprised. You pass water a sample?Corky shrugged. NASA had dozens of them floating around.You mean to tell me, Pickering said, looking at Rachel now, that NASA discovered a meteorite they think contains life, and theyre letting plurality walk away with samples?The point, Corky said, is that the sample in my hands is genuine. He held the rock close to the camera. You could give this to any petrologist or geologist or astronomer on earth , they would agitate tests, and they would tell you two things one, it is 190 million years old and two, it is chemically dissimilar from the kind of rock we have here on earth.Pickering leaned forward, perusing the fossil embedded in the rock. He seemed momentarily transfixed. Finally, he sighed. I am not a scientist. All I can say is that if that meteorite is genuine, which it appears it is, I would like to know why NASA didnt present it to the world at face value? Why has someone carefully placed it under the ice as if to persuade us of its authenticity?At that moment, at heart the White House, a security officer was dialing Marjorie tench.The senior adviser answered on the first ring. Yeah?Ms. Tench, the officer said, I have the information you request earlier. The radiophone call that Rachel Sexton placed to you earlier this evening. We have the trace. recount me.Secret Service ops says the signal originated aboard the naval submarine U.S.S. Charlotte.WhatThey dont have coor dinates, maam, but they are certain of the vessel code.Oh, for Christs sake Tench slammed bug out the receiver without another word.72The muted acoustics of the Charlottes dead room were outset to make Rachel feel mildly nauseated. On-screen, William Pickerings troubled gaze moved now to Michael Tolland. Youre quiet, Mr. Tolland.Tolland glanced up like a student who had been called on unexpectedly. Sir?You just gave sort of a convincing documentary on television, Pickering said. Whats your outcome on the meteorite now?Well, sir, Tolland said, his discomfort obvious, I have to agree with Dr. Marlinson. I believe the fossils and meteorite are authentic. Im fairly well versed in dating techniques, and the age of that stone was confirmed by multiple tests. The nickel content as well. These selective information cannot be forged. There exists no doubt the rock, formed 190 million years past, exhibits nonterrestrial nickel ratios and contains dozens of confirmed fossils whose formatio n is also dated at 190 million years. I can think of no other possible explanation than that NASA has found an authentic meteorite.Pickering fell soundless now. His expression was one of quandary, a look Rachel had never before seen on William Pickering.What should we do, sir? Rachel asked. Obviously we need to alert the death chair there are problems with the data.Pickering frowned. Lets commit the President doesnt already know.Rachel felt a knot rise in her throat. Pickerings implication was clear. President Herney could be involved. Rachel strongly doubted it, and yet both the President and NASA had plenty to gain here.Unfortunately, Pickering said, with the exception of this GPR printout revealing an insertion actinotherapy, all of the scientific data points to a credible NASA discovery. He paused, dire. And this issue of your being attacked He looked up at Rachel. You mentioned special ops.Yes, sir. She told him again about the Improvised Munitions and tactics.Pickering lo oked more than and more unhappy by the moment. Rachel sensed her boss was contemplating the number of people who might have access to a small military kill trace. Certainly the President had access. Probably Marjorie Tench too, as senior adviser. quite an possibly NASA administrator Lawrence Ekstrom with his ties to the Pentagon. Unfortunately, as Rachel considered the myriad of possibilities, she realized the controlling force behind the attack could have been almost anyone with high-level political thrust and the righteousness connections.I could phone the President right now, Pickering said, but I dont think thats wise, at least until we know whos involved. My ability to protect you becomes limited once we involve the White House. In addition, Im not sure what I would tell him. If the meteorite is real, which you all feel it is, then your allegation of an insertion shaft and attack doesnt make sense the President would have every right to question the validity of my claim. H e paused as if calculating the options. Regardless whatsoever the truth is or who the players are, some very powerful people go out take hits if this information goes public. I suggest we get you to safety right away, before we start rocking any boats.Get us to safety? The explanation surprised Rachel. I think were fairly safe on a nuclear submarine, sir.Pickering looked skeptical. Your presence on that submarine wont stay secret long. Im twist you out immediately. Frankly, Ill feel better when the three of you are sitting in my office.73Senator Sexton huddled alone on his couch touch perception like a refugee. His Westbrooke Place apartment that had only an hour ago been filled with new friends and supporters now looked forsaken, scattered with the rubble of snifters and business cards, dilapidated by men who had quite literally dashed out the door. instanter Sexton crouched in solitude before his television, wanting more than anything to bit it off and yet being unable to p ull himself from the endless media analyses. This was Washington, and it didnt take long for the analysts to rush through their pseudoscientific and philosophical hyperbole and lock away in on the ugly stuff-the politics. Like torture masters grinding acid in Sextons wounds, the newscasters were stating and restating the obvious.Hours ago, Sextons campaign was soaring, one analyst said. Now, with NASAs discovery, the senators campaign has crashed patronize to earth.Sexton winced, reaching for the Courvoisier and taking a hit right out of the bottle. Tonight, he knew, would be the longest and loneliest night of his life. He contemn Marjorie Tench for setting him up. He despised Gabrielle Ashe for ever mentioning NASA in the first place. He despised the President for being so goddamned lucky. And he despised the world for laughing at him.