The Little NIMMO (Little Natsume Ice Melter Mark One) burrowed through the ice until the forward section lacked resistance. Sealing brackets extended out in the rear section, blocking the tunnel and anchoring the mechanism. Sensors extended outward from the cooling "head" to taste the environment beyond.
Professor Natsume ignored the way Nuku Nuku and Ranma were sparring in the background, focussed with Hotaru on the data streaming across his console. "Are you getting this Iwasawa?"
The radio crackled briefly, as it had been doing frequently near the Gate. "We're reading it."
"It looks as though the world on the other side has a breathable oxygen-nitrogen atmosphere," said Natsume. "It'll take some time for data on the culture media to come across."
"'Culture' as in viral?" asked Hotaru.
"Hmmm? Oh yes. Don't want nasty alien bacteria if it can be helped," said Natsume. "Though ultimately there may be little we can do in the long run. Hmmm. That's interesting."
The voice of Iwasawa spoke up from the radio. "Analysis of gravity results are 1.0025 Earths. What is the margin of error?"
"Yes, indeed," said Natsume, though it was unclear what he was responding to. "This is quite interesting."
Somewhere in Geneva. April 8
"An alternate Earth?" asked Number Three.
"Indeed, the possibilities are... quite interesting," said Number Seven.
"Why is this so interesting? We already have plans in motion," indicated Number Twelve.
"If this is indeed an alternate Earth, just our existing maps of resources will allow us to access and exploit areas," said Number Seven. "Imagine if the Saudi oil reserves were undiscovered, untapped, and unclaimed. African diamond deposits."
"That's IF this Earth is unclaimed," said Number Three. "If it is inhabited, those resources may be depleted. On the other hand, if the technology of the inhabitants is lower - a strike force could become rulers of a vast territory. If the technology is higher, it could be back-engineered here."
"What kind of security would we have to overcome?" asked Twelve.
"Minimal at present, the Japanese only have a police force and three 'enhanced' individuals present," said Seven. "They are moving up some tanks and APCs, but everything is being emplaced to deal with something coming from the Gate - not going towards it."
The Chairman moved slightly, drawing everyone else's attention. "Be ready to move, but take no action until we have more data. Have appropriate scientists work on a way that Gate could be moved or closed."
"Closed?" asked Number Three.
"If plans fail here, it makes an excellent bolthole," guessed Number Seven.
The drone was quickly launched and began relaying pictures to a hastily erected repeater, which then forwarded the images through the ice to the Gate.
The initial assessment was:
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(Posted Mon, 20 Aug 2007 07:13)
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