Douglas looked unconvinced. ‘What about us? Where do we get our food and shelter?’
‘Mt Rockwell. It was set up nearly seventy years ago for protection for the government leaders in case of a nuclear war. It’s been refurbished many times since then, just waiting for an emergency like this. Anyone who’s on my team will have as much food as they need, and the accommodation there is five star.’
‘My position’s secure.’ Anderson drawled. ‘Why should I help you?’
Worth smiled revealing perfect teeth glistening with gold caps. ‘You know Walker will call a state of emergency which means the military take over. Martial law!’
‘Yeah, but that’ll only be temporary.’
‘Of course, but then there’s a tragic accident and Peterson becomes President.’
Anderson saw his position as Secretary of State dissolving before his eyes and quickly calculated his choices. ‘Count me in. What do I do?’
‘Feed me information. Walker and his cronies will only tell us what they think we need to know. I want to know everything!’
‘In return for what?’
‘A guaranteed executive position in the new government.’
Anderson slid down into his seat like a snake curling back into it’s lair. He had no intention of being left out in the cold by either party, and he concluded that it wouldn’t hurt to hedge his bets.
The many fine surface veins on Douglas’s face turned brighter crimson. ‘Where do I fit in?’
‘Back me up. There’ll be some heavy shit going on and I’ll need someone I can trust. I don’t want to have to watch my back every second.’
Douglas was not flattered by Worth’s statement, as he knew it was induced by the control Worth exerted over him, backed by certain information contained in his personal dossier that ensured his total co-operation.
‘That’s all?’
‘That’s it. Are you in?’
‘Sure. Why not.’ Douglas’s hand flew to his chest.’How do you plan to get rid of the President?’
‘The less you know about that the better.’
Worth looked at Anderson and grinned. ‘What d’you think Anderson? Can we do it?’
‘If anyone can, you can.’ Anderson replied.
‘Okay.’ Worth said rubbing his hands together jubilantly. ‘Then let’s get to this emergency meeting.’
Chapter Thirteen
Tuesday, May 30
Smoke fogged the air, the non-smoking sign on the door blatantly ignored in the President’s office. Dirty cups, empty take out food cartons and overflowing trash cans littered every table surface. Ten men occupied a long conference table, most wore jacksuits and had removed their jackets, some propping their heads on hands, others studying papers, two men stood by a window speaking in hushed tones. Maps lay in disarray among screwed up balls of discarded paper, while three display screen continually beeped on one wall. Every man wore eye phones concertinaed beside their ears, and the buzz of agitated conversation paused the second Josh and Nick appeared through the door. After introductions were over the air crackled again with animated talk, intermingled with the shrill of six sat-phones that constantly buzzed from the President’s desk and the conference table.
Nick didn’t recognise many of the faces. President Walker glanced at his watch. ‘Begin conference.’ He commanded, and two other walls of the office began displaying screens one by one of the leaders of the World Government. Every country in the United Nations was represented along with scientists and respected experts in the fields of oceanography, nuclear, earthquakes and marine science.
For the next hour the Swiss Chief Executive Leader of the World Government and the respective country leaders listened gravely while President Walker, Nick and Josh explained the coming emergency. The responsibility for the dumping of nuclear waste was not pointed at any one country, only the need for the urgent evacuation of all those in the path of the peril. All impending World Government business was placed on hold, and every nation agreed to act immediately. It was ruled that a press ban should be imposed for six days to enable each government to implement evacuation plans before pandemonium broke loose.
Nick argued that to wait six days would be dangerous, but the World Government insisted it would take that long to set up more alternative accommodation on higher ground, before each country attempted to move any of the remaining refugees. They pointed out the logistics involved. For example, they would need time to source and put in place the sudden requirement of millions more tents and sanitary facilities, gather all the food supplies and more. They also strongly suggested that each government should consult it’s own experts to validate Nick’s findings, before undertaking such a huge task.
Nick was requested to send all his records and explanations to the World Government immediately. He expected this and had already prepared copies of his reports that had been given to the US government.
The conference over, the screens dissolved and President Walker rose to his feet and picked up the bundle of papers Vice President Peterson had placed in front of him. Glancing briefly at them he threw them back on the table.
‘Hell. I’m not going to wade through all that paraphernalia. You can all read this later. There’ll be a committee to co-ordinate this special operation, it will report back to me. Our highest ranking military leader – General Cooper, will be in charge of all the forces. We’re going to have to make some tough decisions, and some of you won’t agree with them, but I want everyone’s co-operation.
We have to get the people to safety quickly. Then we’ll have to work out how and where the survivors will live. The relocation project has placed refugees in foreign countries over the past fifteen years, but once this is announced those countries will refuse to take more, which is to be expected. The only option will be to move our people to higher ground.’
Lowering his voice he continued. ‘The government won’t be able to function immediately after the event, so I’ll be forced to declare military rule. We’ll need a band of tough men able to administer what we have left. General Cooper would you outline your plan?’
General Worth flinched at the mention of Cooper’s name. He had been writing furiously, and although he appeared not to be listening to the President, his mind was rapidly processing every word, particularly the part about General Cooper being in charge.
Cooper flushed and leaned back in his chair. ‘As the President just said, we’ve been relocating people successfully for fifteen years, but that was done in stages, this will have to be done all at once, and now! We’ll activate Operation Star Flight immediately.’
He paused and picked up some papers in front of him. He hesitated, shuffling the papers. ‘Star Flight will be slammed by the press, because we’ll need to commandeer all airlines and airports. We’ll stop all international flights and use those planes to move people and supplies to higher ground. I’m afraid we’re going to have millions of stranded tourists.
Mt Rockwell’s already set up and has large stores of non-perishable food. We just need to increase those supplies and check out all the facilities up there. Of course there’s not enough for everyone, so we’ll be setting up other centres wherever we can and ship in supplies to them on an emergency basis. Other commanders will be co-ordinating similar operations in their areas.
You all heard the ruling for a press ban. You Mr. President will give that conference, and I’ll outline our evacuation procedures.’
Vice-president Peterson interjected. ‘You’re talking about mounting the biggest operation in peace time, possibly ever. In what? A few days, weeks. Can we trust these predictions? What if they’re wrong?’