Arctic Drift Part 71

"That still doesn't explain the champagne."

"Well, it seems our good buddy Jack found a rock in his pocket when he got home," Gunn said.

"I'm really not a klepto, I swear," Dahlgren said with a grin. "I tripped over that bag, too, and happened to pick up one of the loose rocks and stick it in my pocket. Forgot all about it until I was changing clothes on the Santa Fe and thought I better hang on to it."

"A very wise decision," Gunn agreed.

"I took it down to the geology lab last week to have it a.s.sayed and they called this morning with the results."

Gunn produced the rock sample and slid it across the desk to Pitt. He picked it up and studied it, noting its heavy weight and dull silver color. His heart began to race as he recalled the similar characteristics of the ore sample the old geologist at the Miners Co-op had given him.

"It doesn't look like gold to me," he said to the trio, eyeing their reaction.

The three men looked at one another and grinned. Giordino finally spoke.

"Would you consider ruthenium?"

Pitt's eyes twinkled as he immediately sat up in his chair. He studied the rock carefully, then looked at Gunn.

"Is it true?" he asked quietly.

Gunn nodded. "High-grade, no less."

"How do we know if it is there in any quant.i.ty?"

"We pulled the sensor records from the Bloodhound and took a second look. Though she is not configured to sense ruthenium, she can identify its platinum-based grouping. And according to the Bloodhound, the thermal vent has more platinum and platinum derivatives lying around than Fort Knox has gold. It's a sure bet that a significant quant.i.ty of that platinum-based ore around the vent is ruthenium."

Pitt couldn't believe the news. He felt like he'd been injected with a shot of adrenaline. His whole demeanor perked up, and a glisten returned to his intelligent green eyes.

"Congratulations, boss," Gunn said. "You've got your very own ruthenium mine a thousand feet under the sea."

Pitt smiled at the men, then grabbed one of the champagnes.

"I think I will drink to that," he said, hoisting his cup up and toasting the others.

After they each took a sip, Dahlgren looked at his gla.s.s and nodded.

"You know," he said in his slow Texas drawl, "this stuff is almost as good as Lone Star."

95

TEN MONTHS LATER

IT WAS A RARE CLOUDLESS SPRING DAY IN KITIMAT, the kind that turned the waters cerulean blue and made the crisp air taste of pure oxygen. On the grounds of the former Terra Green sequestration plant, a small group of dignitaries and media reporters was gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony. A cherub-faced man in a beige suit, Canada's newly appointed minister of natural resources, bounded up to a podium placed before the seated crowd.

"Ladies and gentlemen, it is my distinct pleasure to officially declare open the Kitimat Photosynthesis Station, the first of its kind in the world. As you know, the Natural Resources Ministry inherited this facility last year, built as a carbon sequestration site, under less-than-ideal circ.u.mstances. But I am delighted to report that the facility has been successfully reengineered as the very first artificial-photosynthesis conversion plant in existence. The Kitimat Photosynthesis Station will safely and efficiently convert carbon dioxide to water and hydrogen without any risk to the environment. We are excited that the plant can use the existing pipeline to Athabasca to convert nearly ten percent of the carbon dioxide generated from the oil sands refineries. Here today we have the prototype for a new weapon against atmospheric pollutants, and ultimately global warming."

The a.s.sembled crowd, including many Kitimat residents, applauded loudly. The resources minister smiled broadly before continuing.

"Like any historic venture, this facility conversion was accomplished by the work of a great many people. It has also been one of the more fruitful collaborative efforts that I have ever witnessed. The joint venture between the Natural Resources Ministry, the United States Department of Energy, and George Washington University stands as a testament to the great things that can be accomplished in the pursuit of the common good. I would like to especially recognize the achievements of Miss Lisa Lane, for whom credit can be given for the genesis of this facility."

Seated in the first row, Lisa waved to the crowd while blushing deeply.

"I see momentous changes for all of mankind here today, and I look forward to the dawn of a new world from our humble beginnings here in Kitimat. Thank you."

The crowd applauded again, then sat through the orations of several more politicians before a large ceremonial ribbon was cut for the cameras. As the speeches ended, the resources minister stepped over to the front row where Pitt and Loren were seated next to Lisa.

"Miss Lane, it is good to see you again," he greeted warmly. "This must be a very exciting day for you."

"It certainly is. I would not have imagined that a working artificial-photosynthesis facility would come on line so rapidly," she said.

"Your President and our new Prime Minister showed great will in moving things forward."

"Minister, I would like you to meet my dear friend Congresswoman Loren Smith, and her husband, Dirk Pitt."

"A pleasure to meet you both. Mr. Pitt, it was you who recommended converting the sequestration plant, was it not?"

"It was my kids' idea, actually," he said, pointing to Dirk and Summer, who were making their way to the bar. "We all figured that a positive light might be shone on one of Mitch.e.l.l Goyette's past sins."

The minister shuddered at the mention of Goyette's name but soon smiled again. "Your discovery has proved a blessing on many fronts, Miss Lane," he said to Lisa. "We'll be able to expand our oil sands operations in Athabasca now, as additional photosynthesis facilities are brought online to capture the greenhouse gas emissions. That will go a long way in abating oil shortages in both our countries. I am pushing the Prime Minister to authorize funding for twenty more plants. How are things progressing in the States?"

"Thanks to the efforts of Loren and the Vice President, thirty plants have been funded, with plans for an additional fifty facilities to be built over the next three years. We are starting with our coal-fired power plants, which emit the most pollution. There is excitement that we will finally be able to safely burn coal, fueling our utilities for decades to come."

"Perhaps as important, we have a signed agreement with the Chinese as well," Loren said. "They have promised to build seventy-five plants over the next eight years."

"My, that is good news, since the Chinese are now the largest emitters of greenhouse gases. It's a fortunate thing that the technology is easily replicated," the minister said.

"And that we have an abundant supply of the catalyst to make the process work," Lisa added. "If Mr. Pitt's NUMA organization hadn't made the discovery of ruthenium off the coast of Alaska, none of this would be possible."

"A lucky break," Pitt acknowledged. "Our undersea mining operation is now up and running, and the yield is very encouraging so far. We hope to mine enough of the mineral to supply thousands of plants like this around the world."

"Then we can look forward to a possible end to global warming in our lifetime. A remarkable accomplishment," the minister said, before being pulled aside by an aide.

"It looks like your days of scientific anonymity are over," Loren quipped to Lisa.

"It is all exciting, but the truth is I'd rather be back in the lab. There are plenty of refinements that can be made, and we still haven't perfected the efficient conversion to hydrogen yet. Thankfully, I've got a new and even better lab at the university. Now I just need to find a new lab a.s.sistant."

"Bob has been officially charged?" Loren asked.

"Yes. He had over two hundred thousand dollars in various places that were traced back to Goyette. I can't believe that my own friend sold me out."

"As Goyette proved, unmitigated greed will catch up to you in the end."