“I’m not implying they are guilty of anything,” Castillo replied, “except being in the wrong place at the wrong time. However, in the worst case, we could be facing a species-ending threat. Under those circumstances, I will push the button myself, even if I’m personally within the blast radius. And if we do detonate, it will be for good reason.”

Moore rubbed his eyes with thumb and forefinger, then looked up. “Gentlemen, I did say uncomfortable scenarios, didn’t I?” He looked around the table. “Let’s break and take some time to think about this. We’ll meet tomorrow and continue this discussion.”

The others nodded, and one by one they filtered out of the conference room. Soon only Castillo and Moore remained at the table.

“Well, Alan, you really took that and ran with it.” Moore reached over and pulled the stapled set of sheets toward him. “I find it interesting that you had this ready.”

Castillo shrugged. “My job, Ted. Yours too, as it happens.”

“Oh, meow. Not everyone immediately invokes nuclear threat.” Moore slid the sheets back toward Castillo. “Nevertheless, I take the point. I’ll give this serious consideration.”

Castillo sat back and looked directly at Moore. “If this is what we think it is—extraterrestrial in origin—then it’s particularly galling that the ICDC is in charge. I wonder if there’s some way to invoke emergency powers or something.”

“I have, in fact, considered this. I’ve had some sub-rosa discussions upslope. No one is happy with the ICDC’s apparent refusal to consider strategic issues. But right now it’s acting like a disease and, like it or not, Narang and her crew are in charge.” Moore paused. “However, their mandate is well defined. At some point, they will wrap up and leave. Then things may change, and we may be revisiting this whole topic.”

“I’m surprised you’re so unconcerned about the lack of a well-defined chain of responsibility on this project, Ted. The way things sit right now, you stand to inherit all of the blame and none of the credit, depending on how things turn out.”

Moore still couldn’t decide if Castillo was maneuvering to gain control of this project by creating churn, or trying to bail entirely through the same tactic. The way this clusterfuck was developing, it could be either one.

Well, no matter. For better or worse, Moore had the con, and it would stay that way. He stood and nodded to Castillo. “Until then, Admiral, we have our job and they have theirs.” With a parting salute that would never pass military muster, Admiral Moore headed for his office.

40.It Hits The Fan

40.It Hits The Fan

Once again, Dr. Karin Laakkonen, the ICDC Director, was on the Vid, looking straight into the cameras with a fierce expression.

Her prepared statement had contained all the standard disclaimers and non-explanations. Now she was taking questions.