All the way to the Astronomy Department, Spruance Del Curtin battled a sense of dread. Last night’s confrontation had been unpleasant, particularly since he’d had to choose between discussing how he’d been noticing patterns in the data for this project and admitting that he’d listened in on his boss’s phone conversation with her husband. If he’d thought about the possibility earlier, he could’ve prepared a plausible reason to be using the newsroom computer at that hour. But he’d never expected the commandant and head of IT to pick right then to meet Autumn Belfontaine in the newsroom. And once Captain Waite was bearing down on him, trying to think one up would only ensure he got suspected of lying.
Which meant that now he was going to have to face Dr. Doorne with the admission that he’d allowed his curiosity about the patterns in the data to get the better of him. She’d been quite clear on the importance that he not know what the data represented, so that he could approach it purely as numbers and avoid inserting his own biases into it.
He did not like the thought of being kicked off the project. This was real science, as real and important as his work as a DJ for Shepardsport Pirate Radio. If he’d been able to stay out of trouble, he would’ve had the recommendation of a major figure in the field, someone whose talents and skillsets were sufficiently unusual that it was considered worthwhile to actually bring her up her to do hands-on work with the telescopes, not just handle the data once it got down to Earth.
But there could be no avoiding the issue. Even if Captain Waite hadn’t told her about last night, it was only a matter of time before he did. In the meantime, Sprue needed to be on that data. Worst case, Dr. Doorne would decide those data sets needed to be re-sanitized by someone else. If he didn’t show up at all, there’d be no escaping a serious blot on his permanent record.
As usual, the Astronomy Department was quiet at this hour. But then it was relatively small, since almost all astronomy these days was data. The days of glass photographic plates was long gone — even optical telescopes used imaging technology to digitize the starfields for transmission and analysis. Anyone who was actually up here either was doing essential hands-on work like Dr. Doorne, who was also an electrical engineer, or was married to someone with a Writ of Expulsion against them.
Sprue had expected to find her in her office. Instead, she was in the main office, talking to her son. “Daddy’s going to be OK, Rusty. Now it’s time to go with Miz Lizzy.”
Some times it was hard to remember the kid was only four years old. But kids up here grew up fast. A four-year-0ld was already old enough to help the older kids with simple jobs like wrangling floorbots, and to help teach the twos and threes basic skills.
With her son handed off, Dr. Doorne turned to face Sprue. “Ah, Mr. Del Curtin, we need to talk. Come with me to my office.”
Sprue’s guts clenched, but he kept his face expressionless as he walked beside her. At least this way you get it over and done with.
The computer on which he’d been working for the last several days was now pushed against the wall. He took the indicated seat and prepared for the dressing-down.
But Dr. Doorne didn’t loom over him and yell, just sat down at her desk and looked straight into his eyes. “Captain Waite has told me about your independent investigations. While your initiative would otherwise be commendable, it puts me into an awkward position. Obviously, I can no longer have you doing this job now that you’ve noticed patterns in the data and took it upon yourself to find out what they mean.”
She paused to let him stew. How badly would it hurt him to get dismissed? Would it put his regular work in danger, or his future training units? More importantly, would it imperil his position at Shepardsport Pirate Radio?
Just when he wondered if he was expected to say something on his own behalf, Dr. Doorne’s stern expression softened. “On the other hand, your independent research shows that you are definitely ready to participate in the next stage of this project. I do have two other students of mine beginning the data sanitization and verification process, and they can double-check your work for the last few days just in case your interest in its meaning introduced any unconscious bias.”
By force of will Sprue kept his mouth from falling agape like a fish out of water. He wasn’t being fired, or even disciplined. Instead, he was getting a promotion.
More importantly, why did he have this gut feeling that it was not necessarily a good thing?