Deception Point Page 0,147

rock.

"There are some subtle differences," Tolland said, scrolling down to some anatomical diagrams and sketches. "But it's damn close. Especially considering it has had 190 million years to evolve."

Close is right, Rachel thought. Too close.

Tolland read the description on the screen: "'Thought to be one of the oldest species in the ocean, the rare and recently classified species Bathynomous giganteus is a deepwater scavenging isopod resembling a large pill bug. Up to two feet in length, this species exhibits a chitinous exoskeleton segmented into head, thorax, abdomen. It possesses paired appendages, antennae, and compound eyes like those of land-dwelling insects. This bottom-dwelling forager has no known predators and lives in barren pelagic environments previously thought to be uninhabitable." Tolland glanced up. "Which could explain the lack of other fossils in the sample!"

Rachel stared at the creature on-screen, excited and yet uncertain she completely understood what all of this meant.

"Imagine," Tolland said excitedly, "that 190 million years ago, a brood of these Bathynomous creatures got buried in a deep ocean mud slide. As the mud turns into rock, the bugs get fossilized in stone. Simultaneously, the ocean floor, which is continuously moving like a slow conveyer belt toward the oceanic trenches, carries the fossils into a high-pressure zone where the rock forms chondrules!" Tolland was talking faster now. "And if part of the fossilized, chondrulized crust broke off and ended up on the trench's accretionary wedge, which is not at all uncommon, it would be in a perfect position to be discovered!"

"But if NASA...," Rachel stammered. "I mean, if this is all a lie, NASA must have known that sooner or later someone would find out this fossil resembles a sea creature, right? I mean we just found out!"

Tolland began printing the Bathynomous photos on a laser printer. "I don't know. Even if someone stepped forward and pointed out the similarities between the fossils and a living sea louse, their physiologies are not identical. It almost proves NASA's case more strongly."

Rachel suddenly understood. "Panspermia." Life on earth was seeded from space.

"Exactly. Similarities between space organisms and earth organisms make excellent scientific sense. This sea louse actually strengthens NASA's case."

"Except if the meteorite's authenticity is in question."

Tolland nodded. "Once the meteorite comes into question, then everything collapses. Our sea louse turns from NASA friend to NASA linchpin."

Rachel stood in silence as the Bathynomous pages rolled out of the printer. She tried to tell herself this was all an honest NASA mistake, but she knew it was not. People who made honest mistakes didn't try to kill people.

The nasal voice of Corky echoed suddenly across the lab. "Impossible!"

Both Tolland and Rachel turned.

"Measure the damn ratio again! It makes no sense!"

Xavia came hurrying in with a computer printout clutched in her hand. Her face was ashen. "Mike, I don't know how to say this... " Her voice cracked. "The titanium/zirconium ratios we're seeing in this sample?" She cleared her throat. "It's pretty obvious that NASA made a huge mistake. Their meteorite is an ocean rock."

Tolland and Rachel looked at each other but neither spoke a word. They knew. Just like that, all the suspicions and doubts had swelled up like the crest of a wave, reaching the breaking point.

Tolland nodded, a sadness in his eyes. "Yeah. Thanks, Xavia."

"But I don't understand," Xavia said. "The fusion crust... the location in the ice-"

"We'll explain on the way to shore," Tolland said. "We're leaving."

Quickly, Rachel collected all the papers and evidence they now had. The evidence was shockingly conclusive: the GPR printout showing the insertion shaft in the Milne Ice Shelf; photos of a living sea louse resembling NASA's fossil; Dr. Pollock's article on ocean chondrules; and microprobe data showing ultradepleted zirconium in the meteorite.

The conclusion was undeniable. Fraud.

Tolland looked at the stack of papers in Rachel's hands and heaved a melancholy sigh. "Well, I'd say William Pickering has his proof."

Rachel nodded, again wondering why Pickering had not answered his phone.

Tolland lifted the receiver of a nearby phone, holding it out for her. "You want to try him again from here?"

"No, let's get moving. I'll try to contact him from the chopper." Rachel had already decided if she could not make contact with Pickering, she'd have the Coast Guard fly them directly to the NRO, only about 180 miles.

Tolland began to hang up the phone, but he paused. Looking confused, he listened to the receiver, frowning. "Bizarre. No dial tone."

"What do you mean?" Rachel said, wary now.

"Weird," Tolland said. "Direct COMSAT lines never lose carrier-"

"Mr. Tolland?" The