“Who did you have in mind?”
“Gillet.”
“I was talking with Valentina yesterday. I mentioned it to her. She said she’d like to go.”
“Michael, I think Gillet — ”
His shoulders sagged. “Hutch, why is everything with you an argument? Valentina’s a better bet.”
“She’s more photogenic.”
“Bingo.”
SHE WOULD USE the Maria Salvator for the moonrider mission.
Orion was providing a ship to carry out the flight for which the Salvator had originally been scheduled. So she didn’t have to cancel anything. But the operation was going to be an embarrassment anyhow. When word got around they were out hunting spooks while simultaneously grounding scientific operations, there’d be a second wave of screams.
Asquith had sent down a stringent budget for the moonriders. She called him, and they bickered back and forth until she’d gotten a little more. Then the cost of the monitors became an issue. It had turned out that the commissioner wasn’t entirely serious, and had shown that lack of seriousness to Mike Cranmer, who’d been charged with putting together the design specs. Hutch talked with Cranmer, and with a few others, and got a sense what the monitors should be able to do.
Mike suggested an upgrade for the sensors. It was also possible to get better analytical gear. Hutch would have liked units capable of giving chase if they spotted something, rather than just sitting there passively. But a serious drive unit would send the cost over the horizon.
She called Asquith and told him the changes they were making, including the drive unit, which she knew would never pass muster. It was a bargaining chip, though, and she ultimately conceded it for the other upgrades.
Then there was the issue of programming the monitor AI. If the moonriders responded to the scan, if they asked the monitor how it was doing, what sort of answer did we want to give? Please hang around; we’re on our way? Where are you from? What’s going on?
Eric put his head in. “You doing anything, Hutch?”
“Other than flushing my career? No. How about you?”
He took his accustomed seat. “I’m good,” he said. “I spent the morning putting together a press release.”
“On what?”
“The orbital configuration at Toraglia.”
The Britton had reported an incredible tangle of eighteen worlds, with accompanying moons, and two companion stars, orbiting the red giant. Three more planets orbited one of the companions. Six of the worlds were thought to have been captured from a passing star. None possessed a biosystem, of course. So the public would likely pay no attention.
Eric talked about his job, that he was getting bored, that he wished Asquith took public relations more seriously, that he was beginning to realize he’d hit his head on the ceiling and was thinking about putting in his résumé elsewhere. Finally, he got to the point: “The moonrider mission.”
“Yes.”
“It’s still scheduled to go out in April?”
“Beginning of the month.”
“When are we going to make a public announcement?”
“In a few days.”
“May I ask why we’re keeping it quiet?”
“I’m trying to bait a hook.”
“You want the story leaked?”
“Yes.”
That got a smile. “Okay. You want me to do it?”
“Do you know any of The National reporters?”
“Sure. Wolfie Esterhaus usually covers us for them.”
“Okay. Good. Leak it to Esterhaus.”
“When?”
“Today would be good.”
“All right. I’ll take care of it. Now I have a favor I want from you.”
“Sure, Eric. What do you need?”
“How long do you anticipate the mission will be out?”
“A month or so.”
“Who’s going?”
“Valentina.”
“Who else?”
“Don’t know yet.” She wasn’t inclined to invite anyone. No researcher with a reputation to protect would want to go anywhere near it.
“I was wondering if I could make the flight.”
He looked serious. “Why, Eric?”
“I’d just like to get away for a while. Do something different.”
“I have no problem with it. Can you get an okay from the boss?”
“I’ve already talked to him. Told him I was considering it. I suggested it would be a good PR move if I went.”
“Okay. Sure. I don’t see any reason why not.”
“Good. Then it’s settled.”
“It’s settled.”
“Thanks, Hutch.”
“My pleasure.” She hesitated, and they sat watching each other like a pair of boxers. “You want to tell me why you really want to go?”
“You wouldn’t understand.”
“Try me.”
“People here take you seriously, Hutch.” His eyes drifted away. “Me, I’m just a guy who came in from an ad agency.”
“The media know you represent the commissioner.”
“I’m not talking about the media. Though they’re part of it. I’m really talking about the people here. Inside the building. I get tolerated. That’s all.”
“Eric, that’s not true.”
“Sure it is. Even by you. When you talk to me, I can see it in your eyes.” He tried to push it away. “Look, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean anything by it. But I’ve been here almost twelve years now. You know I’ve never been off-world?”
She didn’t. Although she wasn’t surprised.
“I’ve never even been up to Union.”
“Eric, I hear what you’re saying. But this mission…” She almost said it was just PR. “I don’t think we’re serious about it.”
“You know, Hutch,” he said, “there is something out there.”
“And you want to be part of the flight that finds it.”
“I’m not dumb enough that I think it’ll find anything. But it’ll lay down the monitors. And there’s a good chance the monitors will eventually pick something up.” He tried to look upbeat. “Even if it doesn’t, at least I’ll be able to say I’ve been out in the fleet.”
THREE KILLED IN ANTIGRAVITY SHAFT
Power Failure Causes Mishap
Fall Seventeen Floors
Everett-Glasko Insists Systems Are Safe
WORLD POPULATION DOWN AGAIN
BUT STILL STRAINS RESOURCES WORLDWIDE
Global Count at 11 Billion
Catholic Church Will Not Change Contraceptive Ban
Can Anybody at the Vatican Count?
(Comment by Josh Tyler)
“VIOLENCE” GENE CAN BE REMOVED
Ultimate Anger Management May Be Available for Next Generation
But Do We Want People Who Won’t Get Angry?
POLL: PUBLIC IN THE AIR
ABOUT INTERSTELLAR TRAVEL
39 % Oppose, 30 % in Favor, 31 % Undecided or Don’t Know
Recreation for the Rich? Yes and No, Say Americans
Many Admit to Conflicted Views
EVANGELICALS AGREE: MAKE FOR THE STARS
“Closer to God,” Says Massey
FUNDAMENTALIST GROUPS
OPPOSE REFORESTATION BILL
Baker: “No Need to Worry about Environment;
End Times Are Near”
HOLLAND TUNNEL MUSEUM TO CLOSE
Maintenance Expenses Force Shutdown
Roadway Converted to Museum in 2179
Mayor to Make Final Trip Through
ACCIDENT AT MOONBASE: TWO DEAD
Both Victims Members of Construction Team Water-Extraction Module Had Just Passed Safety Inspection
FLU OUTBREAK KILLS THOUSANDS IN EAST AFRICA
Medical Teams on the Ground Too Late
Where Were the Vaccines?
STUDENT SHOOTS SIX IN JERSEY HIGH SCHOOL