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Georgia Branch Office–Tuesday Morning
A sign on the office wall reads:
Homeland Security
Science and Technology Special Programs Division
Risk Sciences Branch
The Risk Sciences Branch purpose is vague. The people who work there and the work they do are also ambiguous. Employees don’t talk about their work with other employees. There are departments and sub-departments within the branch office. Employees work as directed by their manager or director. Somehow, each department’s effort filters up to an unknown overall goal of the branch, but few—if any—know what that goal is.
Management ordered Jim Sweeney to search for communications related to space studies, space research, or any new studies involving space and astronomy. He enters several keywords into the Homeland Security Information System (HSIS). Jim knows HSIS relates to some intelligence-gathering system but doesn’t know much more about it and doesn’t care to know.
Jim is proud of the position he holds and hopes to continue advancing his career in government service. He likes the salary and benefits; not to mention the prestige of his title: Senior Analyst. Jim has no reason to question anything or do more than what management requests unless it helps advance his career.
Jim fumbles around as he enters random words and phrases as search parameters in the HSIS query system. He has already tried typical word searches such as rockets, studies, astrophysics, spaceship, and stars. Frustrated with a lack of results, he enters nonsensical words and phrases such as give me a clue, help me do my job, I don’t want to be a failure, and grant my space wish. He is about to enter how I get a raise as a query when the system gets a hit on the word combination grant and space.
HSIS then retrieves a grant proposal sent to the National Science Foundation. This excites him. Something worked. He pulls up the grant proposal and reviews the document. He has something positive for his department manager: an accomplishment!
Jim prints the grant proposal and takes it to the office of Francis Wright, Director of the Risk Sciences Branch.
Jim knocks and enters the office. “Mrs. Wright?”
“Sweeney? What is it?”
“I got a hit on space research. It’s a grant proposal of some sort,” Jim says, holding out the papers.
“Bring it here.”
Jim steps to the stern woman’s desk. “It’s a positive result. I found it. I’m sure it’s helpful.”
She reaches out for the papers. Once in her hand, she gives them a quick once-over then looks at Jim. “Anything else?”
“No, ma’am. You will enter a positive note in my file, won’t you?”
“You’re dismissed.” Jim leaves the office less excited than when he entered. “Close the door on your way out.” Jim closes the door, hoping what he found will help advance his career.
Francis Wright reads the management summary of the grant proposal, then the conclusion. She knows this is all you need to read. Everything in between is statistics, charts, and fluff. No need to waste time.
Francis speaks to her VUE lens. “Director Johnson.” She is instantly in a video call with the Director of Science and Technology Special Programs Division, Risk Assessment Branch.
“Director Wright.” Director Johnson is in his mid-fifties but looks older, overweight, and bald. “You have something new?”
“Yes, something popped up this morning. A grant proposal. The topic is interesting. A Professor Munday, from Cal Tech, wants to study potential risks to Earth from asteroids.”
“Asteroids. A curious topic. I thought we already gathered the best and brightest on that subject,” says Director Johnson.
“We missed Munday. His theory and models are focused and unique. Is there time?”
“Not much. Maybe we can fit him in the last group. He’s at Cal Tech, in Los Angeles?”
“Pasadena,” Mrs. Wright corrects.
“You are aware the Director of DHS has requested all scientists in this field of study attend the seminars we’ve been conducting. You should have found everyone by now.”
“I don’t know how we missed Dr. Munday, but his work is pertinent. We should schedule him for the seminar tomorrow.”
“Agreed. Send me his contact information. We’ll send an invitation and plane tickets.”
“Yes sir,” Wright replies. “I’m pleased my team has contributed to the department’s success.”
“I hope you found them all. Tomorrow is the last seminar,” chides Director Johnson.
“We will run another search, but I believe Munday is the last one.”
“Good. Excellent work.”
“The final seminar will be exceptional with the scientists we’ve lined up to present,” adds Wright, pleased with herself.
“It should prove interesting. Anything else?” asks Johnson.
“No Director.” Wright’s VUE lens goes blank.
Director Johnson makes a call. A portly white man wearing a white button-down business shirt and black-framed glasses sitting in a nondescript government office answers the call. “What is it, Johnson?”
Director Johnson doesn’t know who the portly man is. The office of Director of Homeland Security instructed him to contact this man when they find a scientist or researcher.
“We’ve located another researcher. He’s from Cal Tech, Dr. Richard Munday. He submitted a grant proposal. Director Wright reviewed the proposal and believes Dr. Munday has an interesting theory. Something about asteroids, and risks to Earth,” explains Johnson.
“Cal Tech? We’ve already seen several presentations from the Cal Tech staff, including the department head, Professor Heinrich. He was not impressive, but they have a good group of researchers. How did you miss this one? Bring him in. There better not be anyone else you’ve missed,” says the portly man.
“Director Wright assures me he is the last one. With your agreement, I will have an invitation and plane ticket sent,” Johnson says.”
“Agreed. We will make room in the presentation schedule.” The call ends.
