“I guess,” said Jake. “But I’ll tell you, without those lights, we’d still be out there looking.”
“Okay.” Frank’s tone suggested the story made no sense. “We’ll figure it out later. Tell me how the lander got onto the hilltop.”
Jake took a chip out of one pocket and held it out for him. “This is Simon, the lander AI. Giving his description of what happened.”
Frank inserted the chip into the projector. They listened while Simon went through it again. When it had finished, Frank and Patricia sat staring at each other. Finally, the director shook her head. “This gets crazier all the time, Frank.”
“I know.”
“Well, it’s not really our business at this point.” The director looked frustrated. “You guys complete a report for us. Don’t skimp on the details.”
“We already have it,” said Jake.
“Good.” She turned back to Frank. “Let’s bring the Academy people up to date. I assume they’ll want to figure out a way to retrieve the body. They’ll be annoyed at us for not doing it.” Her eyes went back to Jake, but she didn’t pursue the issue. “Let them know we’ll give them whatever help we can.” She shook her head. “A superdense rock. And an invisible parachute. What’s next?” With that closing comment, she got up and started to leave.
“Wait,” said Jake.
She stopped. “There’s more?”
“I want to tell you about the rain.”
* * *
WHEN THEY’D FINISHED explaining, Frank made no effort to hide his smile. “And you think that was, what, a way for an alien force of some kind to say hello?”
“It felt that way,” said Priscilla. “Rain in a place that was brutally cold. Or should have been.”
“Did you experience a change in the temperature?”
“Yes. It got warmer. A lot warmer.”
“What’s the temperature usually like out there? A hundred and something below zero?”
“Usually,” said Jake. “But we’re obviously getting some wild fluctuations.”
Patricia took a deep breath. “So it, whatever it is, was saying hello. Don’t we usually associate getting rained on as a negative experience?”
“We’re not suggesting anything,” Jake said. “We agreed before we got home that we wouldn’t try to put an interpretation on this. And I guess we got carried away. We’re just telling you what happened.”
“Still,” she said, “that’s what you think?”
“Maybe you had to be there,” Priscilla said. “But yes, that’s what I think.”
Patricia nodded. “If someone tossed water at me, I’d read it a little differently.” Her eyes seemed focused in a distant place.
“It might be a good idea,” Frank told them, “if you didn’t repeat this part of the story outside.”
“Yes, please,” said Patricia. “We don’t want people thinking we’ve completely lost our minds. But I think Samantha should be informed.” She meant Samantha Campbell, the director of the Academy Project. “Any other surprises?” she asked.
“That’s it,” said Jake.
“Good.” She headed for the door. “I think I’ll get out of here while I can.”
When she was gone, Frank leaned forward. “One more thing. The families will be setting up a memorial service in a few days. Just so you know. But I don’t see any need for you to attend. Jake, you’re clear. Thanks for helping. We appreciate it. You too, Priscilla.”
* * *
“PRISCILLA,” SAID JAKE when they were alone, “you know we’re going to hear from the Academy about this.”
“I’d be shocked if we didn’t. I’m surprised Frank and Patricia brushed it off.”
“They weren’t there. For them, it’s just one more problem.” He looked toward the Cockpit. “I could use a drink. You with me?”
* * *
LIBRARY ENTRY
MCGRUDER PRESS CONFERENCE
UBS: Governor, as recently as last week, you were saying that spaceflight was an unnecessary expense, that it had no long-term payback. Yesterday, during your remarks at the National Space Center, you said that—let me make sure I have the quote correct—you said that our expansion beyond this planet demonstrates who we are. Could you elucidate on that?
MCGRUDER: Look, Bob, when I discussed long-term payback, I was talking about money. With the present technology, resources invested in space travel are effectively gone. I’m sorry it’s that way, but that is the reality. That’s not the same as saying there’s no reason to do it. It’s obvious to us all that we have an obligation to move off-world, to find other places where the human family can live. To go out and explore, to look around and learn everything we can about the universe. It’s what we’re about, Bob. To find out. All I’m saying is that we should do it without breaking the bank.
—February 12, 2196
Chapter 43
JAKE CALLED ALICIA from the hotel. “We’re done here,” he told her. “I’ll be heading down in the shuttle in a couple of hours.”
“I’ll be happy to see you again, Jake. How did the mission go?”
“I’ll tell you about it when I get there.”
“Okay. What time are you getting in?”
“About seven.”
“Good enough. Call me when you get home.”
* * *
HE AND PRISCILLA had lunch at Skydeck. Then they said good-bye. He’d already sent his bags ahead, so there was nothing to do now except stroll down to the terminal. But he was only about halfway there when his link chimed. “Jake Loomis?” A female voice.
“Yes, it is.”
“Captain Loomis, I’m Margaret Brentwood. I’m with the Academy Project. I wanted to thank you for what you’ve done.”
Jake smiled. “I was glad to be in a position to help, Margaret. I’m sorry we didn’t bring home better news.”
“Well, we all are. Still, we’re indebted to you.”
“Thank you.”
“Captain, we don’t know yet what’s going on at Orfano. You found the lander because of some lights, right?”
“That’s correct.”
“And they were the only lights you saw out there? On the entire planet?”
“Yes, Margaret.”
“Were they somehow under the control of one of the crew members? Maybe something they could have set up in advance?”
“I don’t see how that would have been possible.”
“Then who was manipulating them?”
“I have no idea.”
“So we’re faced with something of a mystery, aren’t we?”
“I’d say so, yes.”
He could hear her breathing. “Captain, we’re putting together another mission. We’re going to send some people out there to investigate. The plan is to establish a temporary shelter, move in, and try to find out what’s going on. In your opinion, would there be any danger to the team members?”
“You mean other than whatever brought down the Vincenti?”
“Yes. Of course.”
He was slow to answer. “None that I’m aware of. Certainly nothing presented itself to us. But you’ll want to warn them to use caution. Just in case. When will they be leaving?”
“As soon as we can get it organized.”
“Well, good. I’ll look forward to hearing the results. Margaret, I have to get moving.”
“I understand. I’ve just one more question, Captain. Would you be willing to join the expedition?”