“Well, this situation isn’t really top secret, Alan.” Moore shrugged. “The media picked it up the moment the ICDC dispatched a team spaceward. It’s well past the rumor stage now, and well into scandal. We’re able to play the patient confidentiality card to a large extent, plus the ongoing investigation narrative, but some media pundits are getting pretty bold in their criticisms and pointed questions.” He paused and looked around the table. “And Security has reported hacking attempts are up several thousand percent.”

Several heads jerked around to look directly at Moore. He let the moment play out to maximum effect. Best they understand early the seriousness of the situation.

“All this, based on an ICDC mobilization? That seems excessive,” Commodore Gerrard said.

“I agree, Mike,” Moore replied with a tight smile. “It’s possible there is or has been a leak of some kind. We’re looking into that. It’s fortunate that when the Mad Astra returned early they didn’t publicly announce their intention to do so. As far as public records show, the Astra is still out there checking asteroids for another two months, which means anyone attempting to extract information by data mining will discount it as a possibility.”

“What exactly are we trying to keep from the public, Admiral?” Commodore Nevin phrased the question innocently enough, but there was a barb behind it, Moore was sure. Her eyebrows met in her trademark scowl.

“Commodore, we have irrefutable proof of the existence of intelligent life outside of Earth. E.T., if you will. You don’t think that’s going to cause a stir?”

“Oh, no argument on that, Admiral. But is it really our place to play nanny to the world?”

“It is our place,” Moore replied, “to avoid vomiting out sensational news until those whose job it is to do so, can package it up properly. I’m not suggesting we keep it a secret. I’m suggesting that how the news breaks will affect how it’s received, and how the public reacts.”

Commodore Nevin snorted, but held her tongue.

“Anyway,” Moore continued, looking around the table, “unless someone can come up with a reason, I can’t block Dr. Narang’s request. Anyone?”

Silence greeted him.

Well, that’s that, he thought.

* * *

Moore grimaced as he watched the news show Topic Zero on his tablet. The lead reporter, an obnoxious former sports star turned Vid personality, stood outside ICDC headquarters, going through the standard clichéd innuendos and leading questions. The bottom line, though, was that someone had seen the list of ICDC draftees, and put two and two together. And, as usual with the media, gotten five.

Now, smelling blood, the media had laid siege to the ICDC. Moore watched a replay of the interview with Dr. Karin Laakkonen. The woman was an expert at not giving away anything, but the challenge had just encouraged the media vultures.