Reporter: Doctor L, the ICDC’s withholding of information on the quarantine is the direct cause of the demonstrations outside. Isn’t it better at this time to simply come clean on the situation?

Laakkonen: Sir, the problem isn’t so much with ICDC not releasing information that we don’t have, as it is with the media trying to fill that void with irresponsible conjecture and innuendo.

Reporter: But Doctor, isn’t it true that you have an alien pathogen isolated on a Navy moonbase?

Laakkonen: No sir, it is not. And by the way, that kind of leading question, when talking into the camera, is exactly what I’m referring to. You’ve descended into tabloid territory. So let me reiterate the only statement I can give you: The ICDC is still investigating. We have not yet established whether a quarantine is even necessary, but will not lift it until we’ve made that determination, out of an abundance of simple prudence. And we will release information as it becomes available, subject to privacy requirements.

Reporter: But surely public safety trumps any privacy issues—

Laakkonen: If that comes to pass, then we will release more information. At this point, there is no danger to the public, your irresponsible reporting notwithstanding.

Moore found himself feeling some sympathy for the woman. But she would have to get herself under better control. Letting them bait her was not productive.

The media, of course, were past masters at whipping the public into a frenzy when it suited their agenda. It appeared the goal in this case was to put pressure on the government to put out some kind of information release. Meanwhile, demonstrations were increasingly turning into riots. And you could bet the media would deny any responsibility in the end.

Moore checked his email again. He expected a query from Naval Civilian Relations any minute. The ICDC protocols weren’t a secret, and any idiot would be able to connect the dots to figure out where the mystery ship was being held.

Nothing yet. There was still time to compose a response. Moore queried the status board for Dr. Narang’s current location. Perhaps a face-to-face would help clarify things.

* * *

Dr. Narang sat back and gazed at Moore over her mug of tea. “You’re not suggesting lying to the public, are you, Admiral?”

“Come on, Doctor. You’ve worked for the ICDC for long enough to understand about controlling information. A core dump without some kind of plan will cause panic. People will be scared of a potentially uncontrollable disease, other people will be scared about the imminent arrival of some kind of space invaders, and of course the xenophobes and religious extremists will have a fit.”

Narang looked down at her mug for a few moments. “We don’t have much, yet, admiral. We’re still trying to characterize the active agent. We’re more used to biological subjects, if you know what I mean.”