The four scientists and the MIC-T are working with a vacuum pump, to prepare a sample of the alien microbe for viewing.
“Number Four Charlie Hatch shows Condition Blue,” says an announcement. “Alter responsivity characteristics until you get Condition Green.
Leavitt squints as she peers at a blinding light in the vacuum chamber.
Stone notices her squinting.
“Ready,” says Leavitt, looking at a vacuum gauge.
There’s a readout on the video monitor.
MASS SPECTROMETER DATA OUTPUT
ELEMENTAL PERCENTAGE SAMPLE 5DOS
>BLACK OBJECT<
H= 21. 07 HE – 0 LI – 0 BE – 0
B- 0 C – 54.90 N – 0 O – 16.00
F- 0 NA – 0 MG – 0 AL – 0
SI – 00.20 P – S 01.01 CL 2.00
“Nothing so unusual about our rock after all,” says Leavitt. “Hydrogen, carbon, oxygen, sulfur, silicon, et cetera.”
“Except the black rock isn’t rock at all,” says Stone. “It’s some kind of material similar to plastic.”
“How about that?” says Leavitt. “the green’s even simpler: Hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen.”
“The four basic elements of life on Earth,” says Stone. “Nothing else. Well, that’s a relief.”
“I’d have been happier if – ” begins Dutton.