The novel focuses on doing the right thing (according to one’s morals) even if the results are bad, and doing what is necessary to bring about a good result. What is the “right” thing that Rachel wants to do? What are the negative/positive outcomes?

Throughout the story, Rachel is seeking the truth behind the meteorite and trying to ensure that others discover that truth. One of Rachel's primary reasons for disliking her father has to do with his lack of honesty and lying to her mother. Rachel's feelings about other characters tend to hinge on how honest they are. Her initial feeling about President Herney were warm, but then changed momentarily when she thought he might be involved in the meteorite deception.

Gabrielle, like Rachel, is also trying to find out the truth. In this case, the truth about whether Sexton is accepting money from private space companies. Her disillusionment with Sexton began when she saw him lie convincingly about their affair. She is on Sexton's side when she thinks he is being honest, such as when he volunteered the information about meeting with the private space companies. Then she thinks about exposing him when she discovers he is not being honest with her.

Throughout the story, many of the characters use minor deceptions to get what they want: Gabrielle lies to Harper to make him admit he lied about PODS; Rachel bluffs the controller, Ekstrom, and Tench and Harper lie about PODS being fixed. At the end of the book, the truth about the meteorite is revealed in a press conference.

Truth is also seen as one of the traits that make a character likable or unlikeable. Rachel, Gabrielle and President Herney are portrayed as honest and sympathetic characters. One of Sexton's main character flaws is portrayed as his ability to lie convincingly, and this is the first thing that makes Gabrielle doubt him. Ekstrom also admits to having lied about things, and his character is not sympathetic.