Deception Point Page 29

Rachel noned how c arful the President was being not to mention her father. He spoke only in terms of the opposition or policy-making opponents. And you hazard your opposition will cry conspiracy simply for political reasons? she asked.That is the nature of the game. All anyone needs to do is cast a faint doubt, saying that this discovery is whatsoever kind of political fraud concocted by NASA and the ovalbumin House, and all of a sudden, Im facing an inquiry. The newspapers for concentrate NASA has found proof of extraterrestrial life, and the media starts focusing on uncovering evidence of a conspiracy. Sadly, any innuendo of conspiracy with respect to this discovery will be crappy for science, bad for the White House, bad for NASA, and, quite frankly, bad for the country.Which is why you postponed announcing until you had full confirmation and some reputable civilian endorsements.My goal is to present this data in so incontrovertible a authority that any cynicism is nipped in the bud. I emergency this discovery celebrated with the untainted dignity it deserves. NASA merits no less.Rachels learning was tingling now. What does he want from me?Obviously, he continued, youre in a unique position to help me. Your stick as an analyst as well as your obvious ties to my opponent give you enormous credibleness with respect to this discovery.Rachel matte up a growing disillusionment. He wants to use me just like Pickering tell he wouldThat said, Herney continued, I would like to ask that you endorse this discovery personally, for the record, as my White House intelligence affair and as the daughter of my opponent.There it was. On the table.Herney wants me to endorse.Rachel really had thought Zach Herney was above this kind of spiteful politics. A public endorsement from Rachel would immediately make the meteorite a personal issue for her father, leaving the senator unable to brush up the discoverys credibility without attacking the credibility of his ow n daughter-a death sentence for a families first candidate.Frankly, sir, Rachel said, looking into the monitor, Im stupefy you would ask me to do that.The President looked taken aback. I thought you would be excited to help out. randy? Sir, my differences with my father aside, this request puts me in an impossible position. I have enough problems with my father without going neck and neck with him in some kind of public death match. Despite my admitted dislike of the man, he is my father, and pitting me against him in a public forum frankly bumpms beneath you.Hold on Herney waved his hands in surrender.Who said anything about a public forum?Rachel paused. I assume youd like me to join the administrator of NASA on the podium for the cardinal oclock press conference.Herneys guffaw boomed in the audio speakers. Rachel, what kind of man do you deal I am? Do you really imagine Id ask someone to stab her father in the back on national television?But, you said-And do you think I would make the NASA administrator deal out the limelight with the daughter of his arch enemy? Not to burst your bubble, Rachel, but this press conference is a scientific presentation. Im not sure your knowledge of meteorites, fossils, or ice structures would lend the event much credibility.Rachel felt herself flush. But then what endorsement did you have in mind?One more appropriate to your position.Sir?You are my White House intelligence liaison. You shortened my lag on issues of national importance.You want me to endorse this for your faculty?Herney still looked amused by the misunderstanding. Yes, I do. The skepticism Ill face outside the White House is nought compared to what Im facing from my provide right now. Were in the midst of a full-scale mutiny here. My credibility in-house is shot. My staff has begged me to cut back NASA funding. Ive ignored them, and its been political suicide.Until now.Exactly. As we discussed this morning, this discoverys timing will seem suspect to political cynics, and nobodys as cynical as my staff is at the moment. Therefore, when they hear this information for the first time, I want it to come from-You havent told your staff about the meteorite?Only a few top advisers. Keeping this discovery a secret has been a top priority.Rachel was stunned. No wonder hes facing a mutiny. But this is not my general area. A meteorite could breathedly be considered an intelligence-related gist.Not in the traditional sense, but it certainly has all the elements of your plebeian work-complex data that needs to be distilled, substantial political ramifications-I am not a meteorite specialist, sir. Shouldnt your staff be briefed by the administrator of NASA?Are you kidding? Everyone here hates him. As further as my staff is concerned, Ekstrom is the snake-oil salesman who has lured me into bad deal after bad deal.Rachel could see the point. How about Corky Marlinson? The National Medal in Astrophysics? Hes got far more credibility than I do.My staff is made up of politicians, Rachel, not scientists. Youve met Dr. Marlinson. I think hes terrific, but if I let an astrophysicist loose on my team of left-brain, think-inside-the-box intellectuals, Ill end up with a herd of cervid in the headlights. I need someone accessible. Youre the one, Rachel. My staff knows your work, and considering your family name, youre about as unbiased a phonation as my staff could hope to hear from.Rachel felt herself being pulled in by the Presidents affable style. At least you admit my being the daughter of your opponent has something to do with your request.The President gave a sheepish chuckle. Of words it does. But, as you can imagine, my staff will be briefed one way or another, no count what you decide. You are not the cake, Rachel, you are simply the icing. You are the individual most qualified to do this briefing, and you besides happen to be a close relative of the man who wants to kick my staff out of the White House next term . Youve got credibility on two accounts.You should be in sales.As a occasion of fact, I am. As is your father. And to be honest, Id like to close a deal for a change. The President remote his glasses and looked into Rachels eyes. She felt a touch of her fathers power in him. I am asking you as a favor, Rachel, and also because I believe it is part of your job. So which is it? Yes or no? Will you brief my staff on this matter?Rachel felt trapped inside the tiny PSC trailer. Nothing like the hard sell. Even from three thousand miles away, Rachel could feel the strength of his will pressing through the video screen. She also knew this was a perfectly reasonable request, whether she liked it or not.Id have conditions, Rachel said.Herney arched his eyebrows. Being?I receive your staff in private. No reporters. This is a private briefing, not a public endorsement.You have my word. Your skirmish is already slated for a very private location.Rachel sighed. All right then.The President b eamed. Excellent.Rachel checked her watch, surprised to see it was already a little past four oclock. Hold on, she said, puzzled, if youre going live at eight P.M., we dont have time. Even in that vile contraption you sent me up here in, I couldnt get back to the White House for another couple of hours at the very fastest. Id have to prepare my remarks and-