The Mars Frontier Box Set, page 57
part #1 of Mars Frontier Series
"Sir, we've locked down the information in Houston," said Byrne. "Joe Mancuso, the acting base commander sent the images directly to me. Administrator Selznick is the only other person I've spoken to about this. I've instructed Alpha Base to be on communications lock down until further notice. Security protocols are in place to ensure no communications will be released to the public without your personal approval."
"Won't that raise suspicions?" asked the secretary of state.
"We can explain that there are maintenance issues with the communications equipment. We have used that excuse on previous occasions with very little push back except from the conspiracy theorists. And I think the public is becoming weary of continuing alien theories when there isn't any evidence."
"Until now!" said the president, taking a closer look at the images. "Are those letters and symbols on the end of the object?"
"Yes sir, we believe so," said Byrne. "We've not had an opportunity to analyze them. We thought informing you was a priority."
"None of the symbols look familiar. Could it be a message?" asked the president.
"I wouldn't like to speculate at this time," said Selznick. "We would need to involve experienced cryptologists to determine if there are any recurring patterns or themes. We don't have that expertize within NASA."
President Ramsay looked across to his national security advisor. "General McCord. I assume you have access to personnel who could take a look."
"Absolutely sir," replied the general. "I can get onto it as soon as you give the word."
The president nodded grimly. "That takes me to my next question. What do we do with this information? Are we able to keep this discovery secret and should we be sharing with our international colleagues?"
"My advice is that we keep the information to ourselves for the time being. We've been able to control previous information," the general said. "All information and data arriving from Mars is filtered through Ground Control at Houston which has proved very adept at retaining national security. Neither Commander Pyke's previous alien encounters nor the full extent of the Chinese attack have been revealed. I am confident that Administrator Selznick can assure us that she will continue to maintain those levels of security."
"Yes, you are correct," replied Selznick. "I see no reason that any leaks will emanate from NASA."
"As regards sharing the news of this discovery," continued the general, "I see no benefit to America of having other nations know of the presence of a possible alien object. I would rather our experts be allowed to research this artifact and learn what we can from it. It is highly likely we could gather some important technological advances. Do we want to be sharing that with our allies or enemies? And, it will be significantly more difficult for the artifact to remain secret from the public."
President Ramsay sat back in his chair, continuing to look at the images on the screen. This was a problem he could do without at that moment. His popularity rating since replacing President Wyndham was only thirty two percent. His advisors had told him he was perceived as weak on foreign policy, particularly with the Chinese. Domestically, he had yet to make his mark on employment, climate change and food shortages. He felt as if he'd been handed an impossible legacy and there appeared to be no quick or easy fixes.
"Can we bury this object for the time being? Quite literally. Forget we found it and pretend it never happened?" he asked.
"It's possible," admitted General McCord. "But then we could be missing out on gaining a huge advantage."
"You keep telling me that, general," interrupted President Ramsay, slamming the table in frustration. "We don't know for sure that it is alien or that it's of any value. If it was left discarded in the middle of a desert, then it could simply be garbage. Or maybe the Chinese dropped it there to divert our resources."
The room was silent at the president's sudden outburst. Administrator Selznick was the first to speak. "Excuse me, sir. You may be correct, but we have no way of being sure unless we're allowed to examine this object. Allow us some time to at least determine the object's origin. We know for certain that alien civilizations exist and are watching us. If the cylinder is alien then, at the very least, we can learn something about what we're up against. This could be our first real opportunity to study them."
Until now, Secretary of State Truman had been listening to the conversation is silence. He was well known for making considered responses only after having grasped the full facts. His advice was always highly regarded. "Do we know if this object poses any danger to our astronauts on Mars? Is it possible to carry out a risk assessment?”
"That's an excellent point," said Colonel Byrne. "We've had no time to carry out any assessment at this stage. I doubt we have sufficient data to advise our crew's safety. This object has been dormant for the past two years at least, possibly longer as it's never been previously detected on any missions dating back to the nineteen sixties. But that doesn't mean we can safely study it. I support the president's suggestion that we do nothing with the knowledge. At least for the time being."
"Before you decide, Mister President," said Selznick, "You need to be aware that the cylinder was discovered very close to rich mineral deposits. We believe those deposits are more than sufficient to attract the investment required for the next stage of mining and large scale colonization. We wouldn't want one of the mining corporations to stumble across the artifact."
"Shit!" exclaimed the president. "You could have told me sooner. That changes everything. Surely there are other locations suitable for mining?"
"We don't know yet. We've only just begun prospecting the planet. The corporations are pushing for additional information so that they can start planning for the next mission. We'd already told them that the area was a promising location prior to the cylinder being uncovered. Bear in mind the corporations have less than six months to confirm the cargo requirements for Expedition Four."
"In that case, make them wait," President Ramsay replied angrily. "This discovery is of national importance and I won't be rushed into making any decisions until we have more information. Thank you for the update, Administrator Selznick. My decision, based on what you've presented today, is that your crew stays clear of the alien artifact while we consider using robotic devices. I don't want any more fatalities. And we keep a lid on this. Is that clear?"
There were quiet murmurs of agreement before the president abruptly closed the conference call.
Ramsay turned to his secretary of state. "Colin, please can you continue to liaise with NASA. Let Administrator Selznick know we're keeping a close interest on her progress. I don't want them to overstep their remit. There's too much at stake here." Turning to his right, he then added, "General, get your best people to encrypt what's on that cylinder as a matter of priority. We have to know if it really is an alien artifact and, if so, whether we have anything to worry about. Can you also get your social analysts working on the likely scenarios if we were to go public with news that intelligent alien life exists? Thank you both. Now back to real work."
***
In Houston, Selznick was in her office attempting to give a roasting to an unapologetic Colonel Byrne. She was a thin woman, in her early fifties with tight permed brown hair that was beginning to turn silver. She'd joined NASA straight from leaving MIT. Her dreams of being an astronaut had been knocked back because of an hereditary medical condition. But that setback had not dented her determination, which has ultimately led her to being appointed in her senior role eighteen months ago. In a male dominated organization, she had dealt with many people like Colonel Byrne and it pissed her off that such men were still appointed because of their gender or contacts rather than on merit.
"Colonel", she began calmly. "I appreciate you're still new to how we work here at NASA, but I don't enjoy being undermined by my staff, particularly in front of POTUS and his senior officials. If you disagree with any of my decisions, I would prefer we discuss them in private."
Byrne was sitting across from her, his hands relaxed on his lap. If there was one thing he enjoyed most, it was upsetting the apple cart. "With respect, Libby, you were heading down the wrong path and it was impossible to speak candidly with you when the president was looking for decisive support. Surely you've been in your role long enough to recognize the signs when the president is unclear of his next move. Especially a new incumbent who's seeking the popular vote."
"President Ramsay needed guidance to make the right decision in this instance. He doesn't need a crony who will agree with him for his own nefarious ends. I knew it was mistake when you were appointed."
"Yet here we are. Remove me from my post if that makes you feel better. But remember why I was chosen and then think how you would explain my removal after only two weeks."
"That works both ways Byrne. You'd find it hard to get such another well paid job with the recommendation I'd give."
"If you want someone who always agree with you, I'm not that person. I may not be right all of the time, but I get things done and, despite what you may think, I am prepared to listen. However, on this occasion I do genuinely agree with the president's position that it is best not to be too hasty making a decision until we know what that object is."
"At least General Stockton was a scientist at heart," replied an increasingly frustrated Selznick. She was struggling to remain cool in the face of Byrne's assured calmness, although she was well aware of the game he was playing. "I need someone with an inquisitive mind. You should be seeking out mysteries to be solved rather than hiding them away through fear."
"You're wrong. I have a responsibility for the protection and safety of the crew up there. I'm not prepared to allow them to recklessly study what could be a Pandora's Box. I do want to discover what that object is, especially if it has alien origins. But I won't risk lives to do so. In fact, I'm surprised that you care less for their wellbeing. Shame on you, Libby."
Administrator Selznick had reached her limits. "I think you've said more than enough, colonel," she said angrily as she stood up. "Get out of my office and give the instructions to Alpha Base."
She noticed Byrne smile as he rose slowly from his chair. He oozed contempt for her. If he thought he would be free to get one over on her then he had seriously underestimated her.
Closing the door to her office, she reached into her pocket and pulled out her cell phone. "Call Evelynn," she instructed and waited the person on the other end of the line to pick up.
"Libby! What a pleasant surprise. I was going to call you to check what you're planning for Christmas this year. What can I do for my big sister?"
"I'm sorry, Evelynn. I've been meaning to call you for the past few weeks. It's been hectic here with several senior changes. But I'm due a long weekend so I was thinking of visiting you and Rob tomorrow night. If that's OK?"
"Absolutely. Rob's away in Europe at the moment and it will be fantastic to have you stay over. You wouldn't fly up to Chicago at this time of year just for the weekend," she said, suspiciously. "What's wrong?"
"There's no getting past your reporter's nose for a story," Libby laughed. "It goes against my better judgment, but I have something to tell you that will blow you away."
Chapter 20
Georgia and Jackson's arrival back at Alpha Base late the following afternoon was met with muted celebration. The latest orders from Earth had not gone down well with any of the senior crew.
Feeling fatigued and dirty after having spent seven days in the confines of the MEV, Georgia was desperate to take a shower to wash off the grime and dust that had accumulated all over her body. She had spent most of the last twelve hours fidgeting in her seat and scratching continuously at random itches. It certainly wasn't an easy life being base commander.
She was looking forward to getting a good night's sleep back in her own quarters, but she knew that an urgent debrief with her team was more important. And so, at six P.M. she gathered Charlie Molloy, Ashley Dunn, Joe Mancuso, Rashid Qadir, Dr Megan Betts and Jackson into the control room.
"Welcome back, Georgia," said Mancuso, with his usual beaming smile. "And congratulations to you both on your discoveries. I think it's safe to say that your expedition was more than successful." He clapped Jackson on his shoulder, nearly knocking the young geologist off his feet.
Georgia stood up to address the room. "Thanks, Joe. And thanks to all of you for holding the fort while I was away. I don't believe there were any emergencies and, if there were, you've hidden them well." She paused for a moment as she considered what to say next. She wanted so much to be positive, but Colonel Byrne's instructions had left her deflated. "I'm not quite sure where to begin. After Jackson's miraculous discoveries in the field I thought we were settled as a colony. He's proved that the resources are available to sustain a permanent settlement here on Mars. That has always been our primary aim, and to achieve it so soon has exceeded even my most optimistic expectations.
"And then we discover what appears to be an alien artifact. And again, that was an enormous discovery. In many ways, it could have a far bigger impact than the mineral deposits. As you can imagine, I was looking forward to returning in order to properly examine the cylinder and determine its origin and purpose. Naively, I thought that was what NASA would want us to do. Yet, Ground Control want to tie our hands and hinder research. I cannot tell you how disappointed I am for all of us."
"I kind of understand NASA's view," said Dunn. "We have no idea what that object could be. You can't blame them for being cautious following the number of fatalities this program has suffered over two years."
"Those deaths were at the hands of fellow humans," Mancuso said. "None of them were as a result of natural phenomena, research or aliens. I'm with the base commander. There's no reason to hold us back from inspecting what's out there. If that object is dangerous, shouldn't we discover what that danger is in case we find any more cylinders."
Molloy stuck his hand up. "I'm more than happy to risk my life to examine that cylinder. I don't care what our orders are. I want to know what that object is made of and what it does. Surely we have a duty to mankind to answer the questions about life beyond Earth. An alien artifact is on our doorstep and we're banned from learning anything about it. It simply doesn't make sense."
Everyone in the room smiled at Molloy's outburst. They had become used to his direct, no-nonsense approach.
"This matter's not over," said Georgia. "I'll be sending my thoughts to Byrne directly after this meeting, clearly stating that we wholeheartedly disagree with his insane instructions. I'm not going to willfully disobey him just yet. I'll give him one last chance."
"I'm not sure he'll listen," said Mancuso. "He's claiming this is a presidential directive. And, I'm sure you're still not his favorite person, especially since Selznick overruled his decision to have you replaced. I think he's still pretty pissed about that."
"Another example of his poor judgment," Georgia replied. "He may feel squeezed by the women in his life, but he needs to work with us. We don't always bite; only when we need to." She noticed Megan and Dunn both nod their approval. "Charlie and Joe? Have you prepared the list of equipment I requested in case I'm able to obtain approval for another mission?"
"Anna and I have raided the science labs and spare equipment racks," replied Molloy proudly. "A full inventory has been packed into crates and ready to be loaded onto the MEV at your command."
"I've prepared two crates with enough supplies for ten days," added Mancuso. "I still need to top up the MEV's water tanks but otherwise your good to go."
"I've downloaded the diagnostics data from the MEV," said Rashid Qadir. "There's abrasive wear on two of the wheels but not enough to prevent a return trip to the swamp. I will swap out the batteries before any more extended runs though."
"Thanks Rashid," said Georgia. "And I like 'the swamp'. It's a good description of what we encountered. We should start using it."
"Wouldn't it be easier to utilize the Lexington for a sub-orbital hop?" asked Mancuso. "I know the ship isn't a taxi service and it would require a ton of propellant, but it could be at the swamp within thirty minutes. You could be there and back before the Colonel knew about it."
Jackson immediately shook his head. "I wouldn't advise it, Joe. If there is a sink hole below the alien cylinder, the whole area could be unstable with an unknown number of sub-surface voids. Lexington's weight could cause the ground beneath it to collapse and we'd lose the ship."
"Then what about Liberty, the Russian landing craft?" suggested Dunn. "We have received all the specifications and it's loaded mass is only twenty-five percent of Lexington. Surely that should reduce any risk of subsidence."
Georgia held up her hand. "Let me cut you off, Ashley," she said. "It's a fantastic idea but I'm still not comfortable about stealing that craft. Why can't someone simply ask the Russians if we can borrow it? I would love to have access to that vehicle, but it needs to be done correctly. I'll add it to my report for Byrne." She gave Dunn a reassuring smile. "Before we break up for the evening, I'd like to thank you all again for preparing the next excursion. I sincerely hope we don't have too long to wait. Is there anything else anyone would like to add?"
When it was apparent that there were no further issues, the group began to disperse, leaving only Georgia and Mancuso in the control room.
"You're going to return to the cylinder whatever Byrne says, aren't you," he whispered.
Georgia shrugged, with no hint of remorse. "More than likely. We have to find out as much as we can. It was tough enough tearing myself away from it yesterday, knowing that it could hold the key to understanding more about intelligent extra-terrestrial life. I'm not prepared to pretend that the object doesn't exist simply because that would be a convenient outcome for the president. What's the worst that the colonel can do if I disobey his direct orders?"
