Free Thunderbird by Jack McDevitt Page B

emerges from a completely different biological system would almost certainly not be equipped to attack us. We’ve run some preliminary tests that support that view. The smaller the organism, a virus for example, the more it depends on the host for the equipment it needs to reproduce. Since it’s an alien biology, it won’t find the right equipment in human cells.”
    Brad pointed at the clock. They were running out of time. “Michael, is there anything we failed to ask that we should have?”
    His guest shrugged. “Your listeners covered a lot of ground.”
    â€œIs there a lesson we should take away from this? From what we’re seeing on Eden?”
    â€œThere’s one: The biological rules are always the same, but we should expect the unexpected. Physics—the foundation that underlies biology—will rule life everywhere. You can rely on finding convergent evolution, but there will always be surprises. As in the case of six-legged aliens, it’s a poor bet, but odd things happen, and we always make assumptions without even being aware we’re doing it. Every new living world will probably make us reevaluate, not the physics of the universe but the way biology uses physics to thrive. If we think we understand an alien biology, we’re almost certainly missing something.”
    Brad leaned over his mike. “Thank you, Michael. That does it for today. This has been
Grand Forks Live
. We’ll be back tomorrow at seven. Stay tuned for the
Bill Williams Show
, immediately following the news.” He pulled the headphones off and laid them on the table.
    Michael sat back in his chair, eyes closed. “How’d we do?”
    â€œThat was good. You might consider a career in radio.”
    He grinned. “No, I talk too much.”
    â€œListen, that was a hell of a show. I envy you.”
    â€œWhy’s that?”
    â€œYou’re right in the middle of the most exciting story I’ve ever heard.”
    â€œWell, that’s true. It’s been quite an experience. Have they invited you to go?”
    â€œUmmm, more or less. But I’ve passed. I don’t see much use in my being there.”
    â€œBut you’d like to do it, right?”
    â€œSure.” Brad got up and started for the door. “I’m not much of a scientist. I wouldn’t be able to contribute anything.”
    â€œBut they’re sending media people.” Brad looked at his watch, trying to pretend he had to be somewhere else. “I understand you know April.” Michael was standing just inside the door. “She could probably set you up.”
    â€œThe media people they’ve been taking are the major-network types. I don’t really qualify.”
    â€œI can’t see it would hurt to give it a try.” He finally came out into the corridor. “I’ll put in a word for you if you like.”
    That sent a chill up Brad’s spine. When he’d been eighteen, a neighbor had gotten him a part-time job with a construction company. They were beginning work on a large building, about twelve stories high, in East Grand Forks, across the Red River. He’d reported for work, and they’d sent him up a series of ladders until he was about eight stories high and out on girders. His job was to run around and recover dropped rivets. But just looking down at the street set his head spinning.
    He’d quit the next day. For a moment, while his guest was talking, he was looking down at that distant street again. “It’s okay, Michael,” he said. “Don’t go to any trouble.”

SIX
    The causes which most disturbed or accelerated the normal progress of society in antiquity were the appearance of great men; in modern times they have been the appearance of great inventions.
    â€”W. E. H. Lecky,
History of European Morals, I
, 1869
    W ALKER WAS ENCOURAGED by what Michael Fossel said. When the show ended, he called April.