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"Low. Lower than the estimates so far. Lead is higher. So is cadmium. Arsenic
is about as we suspected. Organics are higher, but they're relatively easy to shunt
and reduce.",
"How much iron are you getting?"
"Peak is less than a half kilo an hour in present operations."
"All right. Go ahead and figure out a dilution mechanism to use until you have
a chance to figure out a better solution."
"Yes, ser."
The captain's cool tone told Gerswin that the scientist was not pleased. Neither
was Gerswin. Some forms of carp could, and had, adapted to anything. That
didn't mean the water should stay dirty. Besides, the pilot operation was just the
first step. If the mechanism worked, Gerswin intended to duplicate what could be
duplicated and see if he could wrangle the spares necessary to open another
station, the second one powered by natural sources, like the tidal bore in the
Scotia area.
If all the remaining metals on Old Earth were dissolved, then they'd have to be
undissolved.
At least that problem could be defined and resolved.
Chapter LIV
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After viewing the remnants of Old Earth a century following the ecollapse, the
theologian Mardian was moved to say, "There are no saints in Hell, nor dawn on
Earth. For neither Hell nor Earth permits hope or light."
While this view of the ecological condition of Old Earth may have been
exaggerated, there are enough accounts of the damage verified by Federation
records, and later by Imperial records, that it would be difficult to ignore the
extent of the devastation.
Yet all of recent history within this sector of the galaxy has been affected at
least indirectly by the scars of the fall of mankind's first home, and by the later
struggles to reclaim that once-shining symbol. . . . The Empire-The Later Years
Pietra D'Kerwin J'rome New Avalon, 5133 N.E.C.
Gerswin studied the text on the console, frowning as he did so. The ambiguities
troubled him, but any good regulation should have some just to allow for local
flexibility.
Still . . . B.P.R. 20012(b) was specific. ". . . all officers and technicians, as well as
any detailed or civilian personnel
der contract, shall be housed within the base perimeter in all but Class II(b)
installations . . ."
Old Earth Base was not a Class II(b) installation. Period.
Gerswin leaned back in the swivel he had inherited from Manders and pursed
his lips.
Sitting forward after a period of reflection, he tapped another inquiry into the
console.
As the response began to appear, he smiled.
"Had to be there, somewhere ..."
The intercom buzzed.
"Gerswin."
"Commander, the executive officer is here."
"I'll be ready in a minute."
"Yes, ser."
He scanned the lines on the console, picking out the key phrases.
". . .as defined by either (a) the Standing Order of that Base's establishment ...
or (b) a current survey of the
indaries as entered in the Base Operating Procedures and as .^intained by the
Service ..."
Gerswin put the regulation on hold, blanked the screen, Hood up, and headed
for the portal.
"Come in." He nodded at Commander Glyncho, who wore dress grays, as he
usually did.
Gerswin had on a new flight suit, the only concession to rank " >eing the linked
diamonds of a senior commander on his collar. turned, knowing Glyncho would
follow him back into the
Gerswin motioned to the swivel at the comer of the console.
"Seat?"
"Thank you. I do appreciate your courtesy in seeing me, especially given your
busy schedule, and the heavy demands on your time."
Gerswin inclined his head and raised his eyebrows in inquiry.
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"I have been thinking about this a while. As you know, my family has remained
on New Augusta, what with the close family ties that exist there. I'm sure you
understand. While I was hoping that I could make a unique contribution to the
reclamation of Old Earth, sometimes things seen from New Augusta take on a
different perspective when experienced in person. I'm sure you also appreciate
that."
Gerswin nodded. "New Augusta does have a unique perspective."
"My talents, as you have pointed out, are mainly administrative in nature.
Frankly, on a base which has become more and more involved in actual hands-on
reclamation, my special expertise just isn't fully applicable and can't be utilized to
the degree I had originally hoped for when I was assigned here as executive
officer."
Gerswin nodded again. "Afraid this has become a highly tech operation, not at
all a normal Service base, Glyn."
"That's just it. The mission is important, but it's not the typical I.S.S. mission.
And I don't have the specialized technical knowledge to be much more than a
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