The fact is that NASA had screwed it up once before when the Viking landers in 1976 sent back indications of life but chose to ignore the analysis by the scientist at the time who claimed it was a life form reacting in the sample, but a re-test proved non-conclusive and left it as that but years later in their reassessment they over-ruled their decision indicating a life form on Mars had in fact been discovered.
So, now, when another opportunity comes along, they're not going to make a determination until they're absolutely positive, But from the article it seems the possibility of some form of primitive life form has indeed been discovered. Stay tuned.
"Soon"? Perhaps in a geologic time frame. But 'soon' in our frame of reference? Um...no.
If they’ve found water and/or fossils then that could support the hydroplate theory...
Center for Scientific Creation - In the Beginning: Compelling Evidence for Creation and the Flood
http://www.creationscience.com/onlinebook/IntheBeginningTOC.html
Did NASA ever say what the secret discovery was?