SALIENT_Fast Paced SciFi Thriller by Simon Rosser

Author:Simon Rosser [Rosser, Simon]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Schmall World Publishing
Published: 2017-12-12T18:30:00+00:00

CHAPTER 17

JOINT NASA/SETI U.S. PRESIDENT BRIEFING MEETING - OVAL OFFICE.

THE SEYMOUR TALL Case Clock standing against the wall of the Oval Office ticked to 11 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time as the small team of scientists and military officials were ushered into the Whitehouse's most important room, where President Trent was sat behind his desk, hands folded across his stomach. “Sit, gentlemen,” he said to the men who’d just entered.

NASA Advanced Space Mission Science Director Dr Edgar Bond and SETI scientist Dr Hans Willems sat, the two military personnel also each took a chair.

“So, gentlemen, what’s the latest position in this very unusual, and somewhat exciting, situation we find ourselves in? Should we be readying our nukes?" the president asked, smirking at General Joseph Grant as he spoke.

The general nodded and opened a small notebook he was holding. “Well, sir, our army recon unit, together with the SETI field scientists reached the remote glacial location, Cobalt Ridge, on the eastern flank of Mount Shasta an hour or so ago. The site is secure, and the source of the signal has been pinpointed to a location approximately fifteen feet beneath the ice. GPR has confirmed there is a sub-glacial cavern or hollow at the source point. SETI scientist, Dr Lucy Davies, who is on the ground there, has suggested melting through the glacier to get to whatever is emitting the signal, but we are looking at other possible entry points. Perhaps drilling into the ground and inserting a fibre optic camera in first, to see what we’re dealing with, might be the safest option. It's low risk and will give us a good visual of what’s going on. As for the nukes, I don't believe that’s necessary just yet. We have suitable military assets in the area we can utilise, including a squadron of F-35’s on standby at Beale Air Force Base should we need them.”

The president nodded. I like that, clean, quick, and safe. I was joking about the nukes, but the F-35’s are a good idea.” he said, before turning to the NASA and SETI scientists. “What’s the latest on the science side?”

SETI scientist, Dr Willems, a middle-aged, no-nonsense guy, took the end of the pencil he was chewing out of his mouth. “Yes, Mr. President, as the general said, the source of the signal lies fifteen feet beneath the Cobalt Ridge Glacier. At this point in time, we have no idea what technology is involved in the transmission. The logical conclusion was that it was man- made, but the second signal originating on the Moon and focused towards the constellation of the Cassiopeia star system does, of course, suggest otherwise.”

The president narrowed his eyes and thought for a few seconds. “So, if it’s not the Russians, the Chinese, or the dammed North Koreans, you’re saying it might actually be alien in nature?”

Willems shrugged his shoulders. “As incredible as it seems, there's nothing else it could be.”

The president took in a deep breath, before slowly exhaling. “What’s the position with

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