That evening, Penny met up with Andrew and her father in C-lab. Andrew gave her the gist of the conference call to the board at the Point. There was, at best, a mixed level of support. The board wanted them to cooperate with Chiffrey, but her father and Andrew would be held accountable for anything that went wrong. “It’s always been this way,” her father said. “Don’t waste any energy on it.”
Emory came in to ask Doctor Bell something about the Bluedrop, their minisub. As if on cue, Chiffrey entered not long after and, overhearing, said, “Yeah, the Bluedrop. Had a look at her innards this morning with Becka. One sharp piece of tech. Can’t wait to see it in action.”
“We have ROVs,” Penny said. “It’s too risky, at least in the beginning, to go down in the Bluedrop.”
“That’s what Becka told me, but wouldn’t being there in person be better?”
Her father gave no indication that he wanted to voice an opinion, but Emory said, “I seem to notice more sitting here on the ship, to tell you the truth. High def cameras catch it all, and we have the same access to instrumentation, manipulator arms, remote sensors, as we do in the Bluedrop.”
“Well,” her father finally said, “I would not altogether agree, although I know I am in the minority these days. But, yes, we will start with ROVs. We can get a lot with them, certainly.”
“One last point,” Chiffrey said. “We’re the main act now, so they will clear the way for us. Can’t get their minds around what is going on, and they are not taking that well. Before, it was ‘no target, no mission.’ Not anymore. They won’t give us forever.”
“Got that message a while back,” Penny said.
“Just time to tree this possum,” Chiffrey said laughing. “Which you should be thrilled about. You’re going to get first crack.”
“Yes, if your idea of thrilling is the privilege of being the first one to stick your head down a deep dark hole with no idea what’s really down there.”
Andrew caught her eye, and she backed off. He addressed everyone in the lab. “Our gear needs to be operational when we reach our destination. Make sure it is. Can’t be sure how much time we’ll get once there. But first, a mid-sea fueling tomorrow noon and departures for some soon after. Be ready.”