The Prime Minister turned to Nick. ‘How will our large cities, like Sydney for instance be affected?’
‘Each city will be affected differently, depending on their exposure. I’m afraid Sydney will be in for major damage, despite their dykes that circle the harbour.’
‘Won’t the high cliffs of the Gap at the entrance to the harbour protect the city? They must be over ninety metres high.’
‘No. That’ll make it worse. You see there’s such a thing known as tidal suck-out. When the wave approaches the Continental Shelf and starts to rise, it will suck all the water from the shore, draining the harbours and bays and increasing it’s height even further.
As it forces its way through the narrow harbour entrance at the Gap it will form into a bloody huge raging tower the entire width of the entrance, God knows how high. Any ships lying in the harbour will bottom-out and be crushed, and no amount of dykes will stop it. You see it won’t just wash in like a normal wave, it will dump from above crashing down onto everything, and as I said before there’ll be more than one wave.’
An uncomfortable silence filled the room. The Prime Minister had taken up Parker’s habit of drumming on the table edge. ‘Your knowledge of the sea and its idiosyncrasies is priceless Nick, are you willing to advise Dave?’ He asked.
‘I’ve spent plenty of time in Queensland, partly in Brisbane and partly on the Gold Coast where I have my land base. My brother and his wife live in the hinterland there, that’s why I came back, I intend to go home to help them. Helping Dave won’t interfere with that will it?’
‘No. We only need your advice now and then, you’ll be free to do whatever you want, but you must liaise with Dave. He’ll keep you in the loop, and he’ll be more effective, knowing what to expect. I know after your experience in America you’ll be careful. I don’t think you should discuss this with anyone whom Dave hasn’t cleared, even your brother and his wife. Is that understood?’
Nick wondered what the Minister would say if he knew Brian was a journalist. ‘Yeah you have my word. I don’t want to risk anybody’s life, least of all my family’s.’ He turned to Dave Parker. ‘How I can help you Dave?’
‘Let’s go back to my office and we’ll get the ball rolling. Graham, we can co-ordinate your activities through my office as well, I’ll talk to the finance department and get you the money to buy the Vetos you need.’
‘We’ve only got just over forty hours before the press get hold of this.’ The Prime Minister said as they all left his office.
Trancars were waiting at the exit of The Lodge. ‘I hate these things,’ Nick said. ‘Are they in every city here too Dave?’
‘Yeah, I’m not keen on them either but with petrol running out we had no choice. Fuel supplies have been allocated to shipping, planes and essential services.’
‘Makes the family outings a bit boring,’ Nick said climbing in behind Dave and Graham.
Chapter Twenty
They left The Lodge and after a short journey arrived at the spectacular Parliament House. The imaginative building had opened in 1988, after taking eight years and $1.1 billion to build, and over the ensuing years it had been renovated and updated to incorporate the latest technological devices and systems. Set into the top of a hill, its grassed-covered roof blended with the contours of the surrounding terrain. Most of the complex was subterranean with the main entrance flanked by two high granite-faced walls that curved out from the centre, resembling two rounded boomerangs placed end-to-end. Dave walked them through the impressive white marble great verandah entrance, past Nelson Tjakamarra’s mosaic titled Meeting Place, into the foyer where grey-green marble columns stood symbolising a forest. Huge tapestries lined the long spans of walls, broken by marquetry panels displaying Australian flowers. Dave’s office was south of the Members Hall, along with other minister’s quarters, and in stark contrast to the Lodge and the US Presidents office, it offered the latest in decor with a colour scheme of cool restful colours.
Dave was a sponge soaking up every detail Nick threw at him, and by the end of their session Nick’s eyes drooped and his throat hurt. Graham wrote copious while Dave answered the never ending buzz of the room phone, switching now and then to sat-phone for privacy, and signed papers the parade of staff presented to him. Nick had never been in the presence of such a focused and dynamic personality as Dave Parker, and felt some of the weight lifted from his shoulders.
As the afternoon dragged on Graham received a call from the Minister for transport. ‘We’ll commandeer every available plane and Veto, but we can’t begin until the news is released. However you can start the ball rolling Graham. Get hold of every available Veto.’ The Minister instructed. ‘Even the ones that are out of service. If they can be fixed, get it done. I’ve also arranged for hangar space at all the regional airports, and you can use any military base around the country. You get the equipment and the personnel, we’ll house them for you.’
‘What should I tell the pilots?’ Graham asked.
‘Tell them you’ve got a contract with the Government to assist with an important classified operation. I don’t think they’ll question that. Be careful, they mustn’t get a hint of what’s going on yet. If you need me, my code is Star Flight Simple.’
‘No problem. Thanks. I’ll get moving immediately.’ Graham hung up. ‘Who said the Government are Bureaucrats? Sorry Dave.’ He grinned. ‘Good old Aussies. They know how to rally ‘round in a crisis. It’s good to be home. If you two will excuse me I’ve got some work to do. Nick old mate, this is where you and I part company for now. I’ll get a jet to take you home, I’ll call you when I’ve organise it.’ He glanced at Nick who was not wearing an eye-phone and sighed. ‘Leave your sat-phone turned on so I can get a hold of you anytime.’
Nick slapped his arms around Graham in a buddy hug. ‘Thanks for everything mate. God knows, I’d still be in the States if it weren’t for you. You be careful, I want to find you in one piece after all this is over.’
‘Oh, you’ll find me all right, I intend to stay around. I’ve got some good friends in Brisbane so you’ll see me up there soon. Keep your phone charged.’ Saluting briskly he left them to their plans.
Chapter Twenty-one
Graham
Graham’s mother greeted him warmly and took the news of the coming disaster stoically, more than pleased he had returned home, even though he told her he wouldn’t be around much. He felt charged with energy, and although faced with an unimaginable catastrophe, he experienced a certain satisfaction in being needed. All his life he had coasted along from one scrape to another, always managing to stay on top. His conscience was not exactly clear, he had done some things he wasn’t proud of. That conscience pricked him now as he recalled Bob Brewster. Bob would be one of the best blokes he had ever worked for in Sydney in those early days. He had taken Graham on with no experience and trained him in the charter industry, even helped him obtain his pilot’s licence.What did I do in return? Knifed him in the back!
Graham had gone out on his own, having bought a small air-charter company. A juicy mail-run contract was in the offering and Brewster had spent may hours preparing his tender. Graham saw the opportunity but lacked the experience and knowledge to be able to lodge a bid of his own. He broke into Bob’s office one night and copied his tender. He messed the place up and took some office equipment to make it appear like a burglary had taken place.