He took his accustomed seat. “I’m good,” he said. “I spent the morning putting together a press release.”

“On what?”

“The orbital configuration at Toraglia.”

The Britton had reported an incredible tangle of eighteen worlds, with accompanying moons, and two companion stars, orbiting the red giant. Three more planets orbited one of the companions. Six of the worlds were thought to have been captured from a passing star. None possessed a biosystem, of course. So the public would likely pay no attention.

Eric talked about his job, that he was getting bored, that he wished Asquith took public relations more seriously, that he was beginning to realize he’d hit his head on the ceiling and was thinking about putting in his résumé elsewhere. Finally, he got to the point: “The moonrider mission.”

“Yes.”

“It’s still scheduled to go out in April?”

“Beginning of the month.”

“When are we going to make a public announcement?”

“In a few days.”

“May I ask why we’re keeping it quiet?”

“I’m trying to bait a hook.”

“You want the story leaked?”

“Yes.”

That got a smile. “Okay. You want me to do it?”

“Do you know any of The National reporters?”

“Sure. Wolfie Esterhaus usually covers us for them.”

“Okay. Good. Leak it to Esterhaus.”

“When?”

“Today would be good.”

“All right. I’ll take care of it. Now I have a favor I want from you.”

“Sure, Eric. What do you need?”

“How long do you anticipate the mission will be out?”

“A month or so.”

“Who’s going?”

“Valentina.”

“Who else?”

“Don’t know yet.” She wasn’t inclined to invite anyone. No researcher with a reputation to protect would want to go anywhere near it.

“I was wondering if I could make the flight.”

He looked serious. “Why, Eric?”

“I’d just like to get away for a while. Do something different.”

“I have no problem with it. Can you get an okay from the boss?”

“I’ve already talked to him. Told him I was considering it. I suggested it would be a good PR move if I went.”

“Okay. Sure. I don’t see any reason why not.”

“Good. Then it’s settled.”

“It’s settled.”

“Thanks, Hutch.”

“My pleasure.” She hesitated, and they sat watching each other like a pair of boxers. “You want to tell me why you really want to go?”

“You wouldn’t understand.”

“Try me.”

“People here take you seriously, Hutch.” His eyes drifted away. “Me, I’m just a guy who came in from an ad agency.”

“The media know you represent the commissioner.”

“I’m not talking about the media. Though they’re part of it. I’m really talking about the people here. Inside the building. I get tolerated. That’s all.”

“Eric, that’s not true.”

“Sure it is. Even by you. When you talk to me, I can see it in your eyes.” He tried to push it away. “Look, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean anything by it. But I’ve been here almost twelve years now. You know I’ve never been off-world?”

She didn’t. Although she wasn’t surprised.

“I’ve never even been up to Union.”

“Eric, I hear what you’re saying. But this mission…” She almost said it was just PR. “I don’t think we’re serious about it.”

“You know, Hutch,” he said, “there is something out there.”

“And you want to be part of the flight that finds it.”

“I’m not dumb enough that I think it’ll find anything. But it’ll lay down the monitors. And there’s a good chance the monitors will eventually pick something up.” He tried to look upbeat. “Even if it doesn’t, at least I’ll be able to say I’ve been out in the fleet.”

THREE KILLED IN ANTIGRAVITY SHAFT

Power Failure Causes Mishap

Fall Seventeen Floors

Everett-Glasko Insists Systems Are Safe

WORLD POPULATION DOWN AGAIN

BUT STILL STRAINS RESOURCES WORLDWIDE

Global Count at 11 Billion

Catholic Church Will Not Change Contraceptive Ban

Can Anybody at the Vatican Count?

(Comment by Josh Tyler)

“VIOLENCE” GENE CAN BE REMOVED

Ultimate Anger Management May Be Available for Next Generation

But Do We Want People Who Won’t Get Angry?

POLL: PUBLIC IN THE AIR

ABOUT INTERSTELLAR TRAVEL

39 % Oppose, 30 % in Favor, 31 % Undecided or Don’t Know

Recreation for the Rich? Yes and No, Say Americans

Many Admit to Conflicted Views

EVANGELICALS AGREE: MAKE FOR THE STARS

“Closer to God,” Says Massey

FUNDAMENTALIST GROUPS

OPPOSE REFORESTATION BILL

Baker: “No Need to Worry about Environment;

End Times Are Near”

HOLLAND TUNNEL MUSEUM TO CLOSE

Maintenance Expenses Force Shutdown

Roadway Converted to Museum in 2179

Mayor to Make Final Trip Through

ACCIDENT AT MOONBASE: TWO DEAD

Both Victims Members of Construction Team Water-Extraction Module Had Just Passed Safety Inspection

FLU OUTBREAK KILLS THOUSANDS IN EAST AFRICA

Medical Teams on the Ground Too Late

Where Were the Vaccines?

STUDENT SHOOTS SIX IN JERSEY HIGH SCHOOL

Uses Antique Rifle

Sheriff’s Son Charged; Described as Loner

RUSSIANS, CANADIAN-AMERICANS

BECOME MAJOR AGRI-POWERS

Corn and Wheat Belts Moving North

MOONRIDERS ARE NOT ALIENS: TALVANOWSKI

“Probably Quantum Jets”

MACALLISTER WILL PAY FOR

DEFENSE IN HELLFIRE TRIAL

National Editor Stirs Pot

There are few professions whose primary objective is to advance the cause of humanity rather than simply to make money or accrue power. Among this limited group of humanitarians I would number teachers, nurses, bookstore owners, and bartenders.

— Gregory MacAllister, “Icons”

The Virginia Education Association met annually in Richmond during the third week in February to name the recipients of its Teachers of the Year awards. These were granted to a plethora of elementary and high school instructors. Various civic groups joined in. The Thomas Jefferson Freedom Guild granted special recognition to the winner of the political science award. The Jump Start Reading League provided plaques to several of the elementary teachers. The Academy gave its Distinguished Contribution to Science Education Award to the VEA’s science teacher of the year.

The National also presented a trophy for auspicious public service, known among the correspondents as the Courage Under Fire Award. The recipient would be a science teacher from a West Virginia high school who had defied demands by his school board and a small posse of parents that human enhancement be targeted as not proven, not safe, and socially unacceptable.

Usually, MacAllister assigned the presentation to one of his reporters. But this year, he had decided to do the honors personally. The reason was that he wanted to take advantage of the occasion to have a few words with its guest of honor, the prize-winning physicist, Ellen Backus.

He enjoyed the social advantages that came with celebrity. He drifted through the hotel meeting room, shaking hands with visiting dignitaries, pretending to the precise level of humility that he associated with greatness.

Shortly before seven thirty, the guests began filing into the banquet room. MacAllister found his place at the head table, shook hands with the emcee, introduced himself to Backus, and sat down. Moments later salads and rolls arrived.

He was still in the process of telling Backus that he was impressed with her work when his commlink vibrated. He excused himself and wandered to the side of the room. It was Wolfie.

“Yes,” he said.

“Mac, I was talking with an Academy source.”

“Okay.”

“They’re putting together a moonrider mission. Going out looking for the things.”

“Are you serious?”

“Yes. And apparently it’s not just a stunt.”

“How do you mean?”

“How else can I say it? They are serious.”

“Explain that to me.”

“I don’t know if I can. I get the impression there’ve been more sightings than anyone’s been admitting. Apparently, they’ve been seeing them all over the place.”

“You trust your source?”

“He’s always been on the money before, and he has no reason to lie to me.”

AFTER THE CEREMONY MacAllister took Backus aside. “I’ve a question for you, Professor.”

She looked barely out of high school. Smooth face, honey-blond hair, soft hazel eyes. “Of course, Mr. MacAllister. Fire away.”

“Do you have any connection with the Origins Project?”

“You mean, have I ever been out there?”

“No. I mean, are you aware of the details?”

“It’s not my specialty, Mr. MacAllister — ”

“Call me Mac.”

“Mac. But I know a little about it.”

“Are there hazards?”

“How do you mean?”

“Are the experiments dangerous in any way?”

The eyes locked on him. “I don’t think there are any undue hazards. You start crashing atoms together at the kind of velocities they’re using, and there’s always going to be a degree of risk. That’s why they built it out where they have.”

Mac tried her first name. “Ellen — ”

She smiled. “You’re talking about where the universe goes down a black hole.”

“Something like that. I had a call from Anthony DiLorenzo. Do you know him?”

“Not personally. I know of his work.”

“Would you mind giving me your opinion of him? It’ll go no further.”

“As I say, Mac, I don’t know him. He has an outstanding reputation.”

“He says there’s a chance that when they turn on the hypercollider it will” — he consulted his notes — “rip the fabric of space. End everything.”

She nodded. Looked as if someone had just belched in the middle of dinner. “Yeah. I’ve heard that. I don’t think the possibility is very likely.”

“Then it is possible.”

“Oh, sure. You get into an area like this, where we still don’t know very much, and anything is possible. But I don’t think it’s worth worrying about.”

“You’re telling me the Origins Project could conceivably destroy the universe, but it’s not worth worrying about?”