“That’s a long ways from Washington. What are you doing in Calgary?”

“Waiting for a flight to Yellowknife and then a puddle jumper to Tuktoyaktuk. The Narwhal has been sitting in port there since picking up the survivors of the Canadian ice lab.”

“That’s what started this whole mess. I’d like to get my hands on the real joker who smashed up that camp. In the meantime, you better get that vessel out of Canadian waters pronto, then return to Washington.”

“Rudi’s on his way back to D.C. with a directive to suspend all NUMA research projects around Canada and immediately move our vessels to neutral waters. I’ve just got a special job up here to close down personally.”

“This have anything to do with that pet science project your pretty wife keeps haranguing me about?”

Bless Loren’s heart, Pitt thought. She had already gone after the old man.

“Yes, it does. We need to find the source of the ore, Admiral.”

The line went silent, but Pitt could hear some papers being shuffled at the other end.

“Loren writes a bang-up policy paper,” Sandecker fi nally grunted. “Like to have her on my staff if she ever gets tired of serving in Congress.”

“I’m afraid her constituents wouldn’t let her.”

“This ruthenium . . . it’s the real deal?”

“Yes, conclusively proven. And there’s somebody else in the hunt for it, which confirms its worth.”

“If it can make this artificial photosynthesis fly, then it would be invaluable. I can’t begin to tell you how bad things are economically because of the energy crunch. The President’s carbon mandate puts us on even more of a tightrope. If we don’t find a way out, then we’re headed for a full-blown meltdown.”

“Finding the mineral might be our only chance,” Pitt replied.

“Loren’s cover letter says there may be a source linked to the lost Franklin Expedition?”

“ There are some compelling clues in that direction. It seems to be the only real lead to a near-term supply of the mineral.”

“And you want to conduct a search?”

“Yes.”

“This is some poor timing on your part, Dirk.”

“Can’t be helped. It’s too important not to try. And it’s too important to come up second. I’d just like to know where things are headed with the Polar Dawn.”

“Are you on a secure line?”

“No.”

Sandecker hesitated. “The chickens want to lay some eggs, but the rooster is still pacing the henhouse.”

“How soon before breakfast?”

“Soon. Very soon.”

Pitt knew that Sandecker often referred to the Pentagon generals as chickens, due to the eagle insignias on their caps. The message was clear. The Secretary of Defense was pushing for a military response, but the President had not made up his mind yet. A decision would be forthcoming shortly.