Andrea instructed the computer to seal the room. Meredith looked at her with raised eyebrows and an intake of breath that indicated she was about to say something. Andrea looked back at her boss, raised a finger and shook her head.
“As some of you know,” she said, nodding towards J’Lana and Farid, “we are in possession of information beyond that which was aired at the previous meeting.” All eyes were fixed on her. “Satellite signals indicate what appears to be a small, remnant humanoid population on an island analogous to Kalimantan which represents on our Earth one of the most remote outposts of human settlement, including some groups that have had little or no contact with other humans. It is likely that they were protected from the worst depopulating effects of the pollution by the heavy foliage where they lived.”
“What does this mean to the project?” Meredith asked, “I thought this planet was unpopulated, from a human point of view.”
“As did we, Admiral. As did we.” Andrea paced slowly around the table. “Farid: this is where you come into your own. I want a party to go to the planet to observe this group and report back. You lead. You must not, under any circumstances, make contact with these people.”
“Who do you see going with me, Ma’am?” Farid asked.
“I’ll let you know when I’ve made that decision, Lt-Commander. Meantime, work with your wife and the archaeologists to come up with a plan of action and present it to me tomorrow at oh-nine-hundred. Will you still be with us, Admiral?”
“I’d love to be, but I have meetings all day tomorrow. I’m afraid I shall have to leave you this evening. Make sure you keep me in the loop, though.”
“Of course. J’Lana: work with your teams to give me options. Whatever we find out about these people, I’d like to think we can come to an arrangement to settle here. If not, I’ll need a list of other planets to look at. If there’s nothing else?” She looked around the table. Each officer present seemed deep in thought but no-one attempted to speak. “Good,” she said, “In that case, thank you, people – we are dismissed.”
Andrea turned to leave the room, accompanied by Meredith.
“You sounded a little hesitant to me in there, Andy,” Meredith said as the trio re-entered the Rear Admiral’s office, “Are you sure you’re up to this?”
“Permission to speak freely, Ma’am?” Andrea asked, sitting at her desk.
“Of course.”
“What are you suggesting – that I’m not fit for the job?”
“Merely that a few short years ago you were engaged as a mathematician; a gifted one, I’ll grant you; but a mathematician, nonetheless. This project is opening up areas where you have no experience. I’m concerned for you – I don’t want to see you burn out.”
“Admiral Winstanley: I am supported by the top brains in pretty much every field; astrophysics, exobiology, exobotany, alien archaeology, alien relations—“
“But they’re all theoretical, Andy. None of them has any real-world experience—“
“Had, Admiral.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“None of them had any real-world experience. My astrophysicists have inferred, discovered, investigated and taken us to planets previously unknown to mankind; my exobotanists have studied flora naturally occurring on other planets as have the exobiologists with native fauna; and the archaeologists have undertaken digs and studies on planet that dwarf anything ever done on Earth. As for alien relations: Farid has yet to communicate with new civilisations, but he is as up to date as any of us with his knowledge of the Jinthae and the Borborygmi. Can you name a replacement crew that has equal, leave alone better credentials?”
“I wasn’t concerned for your crew, Andy. They were all hand picked; the best of the best. As were you. But their experience is not yours. Their accumulated knowledge is not yours and yet you have to make vital decisions every day.”
“Which I do with input from the best of the best. That is what I understand leadership to be all about. If you are worried about my ability to do the job; why did you put me here in the first place, and who do you suggest could make a better fist of it?” Andrea stood, leaned towards Meredith, her hands rested on her desk. “Do we have all the answers? No, we don’t. We don’t even understand some of the questions. But are we learning as we go along? You bet your life we are. And don’t forget, Admiral, we have all the knowledge, experience and wisdom of the Jinthae to call on, if we need it.”
“That’s exactly what I wanted to hear, Andy. I can go home now, knowing this project is in the best possible hands. Can you have my bags taken to the transport bay? I’m ready now.”
Andrea relaxed, sat back down and gave the order to housekeeping. “I owe you an apology, Meredith,” she said quietly, “I should never have spoken to you like that.”
“You should and I’m glad you did. I questioned your ability to do your job and you mounted a robust defence. Well done, Rear Admiral. Carry on. We’ll talk later.” And that said, Admiral Meredith Winstanley stood and left the room.
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