51

“Have you seen this?” asked Stevens. Krax was with him, standing just behind.

“Seen what?” asked Markoff.

Stevens reached out and opened the vid. “It was just broadcast,” he said. “Still fresh.” They stood there together, watching it.

It showed Altman before a podium at a press conference. The tickers on the bottom ran the line SCIENTIST ACCUSES MILITARY OF COVER-UP and then ALIEN LIFE CONFIRMED? Altman was describing the Marker and the expedition.

“Where is this?” asked Markoff.

“Washington, D.C.,” he said.

“How the hell did he get to Washington, D.C.?” He turned to Stevens, who in turn looked at Krax.

Krax shrugged. “Security failure,” he said. “Not my men,” he claimed. “Leftovers from Tanner.”

. . . every evidence that what we are talking about is the first evidence of alien life, said Altman. But this is not something that the military should be investigating. This is something that should be investigated by scientists from all the sectors, a coalition of experts from all over the world. . . .

Altman’s image disappeared, was replaced by images of the Marker itself, taken from within the underwater chamber.

“Where the fuck did he get those?” asked Markoff.

“I don’t know,” said Krax.

“Find out who does!”

. . . the military wants to cover it up, Altman was claiming. They want to control the investigation so as to use the alien technology to manufacture weapons. We cannot let this happen. There needs to be a public inquiry about the Marker’s use and its function.

Below him, on the ticker, were the words MICHAEL ALTMAN: WHISTLEBLOWER OR PARANOID?

Krax had already started for the door, when Markoff stopped him. Stevens was speaking to Markoff, whispering quietly, both of them just far enough away that Krax couldn’t hear anything. He watched Markoff nod, then nod again.

“Belay that,” said Markoff to Krax. “You can worry about it when you get back. Find out what hotel Altman is staying in and make whatever arrangements you can to book us into the neighboring room. Handpick three additional men. I want all of us on a plane fifteen minutes ago. We need to stamp out this problem right now.”