The Final Sunset

by Trevor Herron

  “And I don’t? I’m continually sounding out the people at the top. At the moment everything is running smoothly. We just have to wait.”

  “You make it sound like a worker’s paradise.”

  “And you, sir are claiming dissatisfaction where none exists. Beware, you could be heading for trouble.”

  “I don’t think so Moncrieff. I think for the first time we have those three by the short and curlies. At least one, but most likely all three of them will lose their jobs before I’m finished with them.”

  Moncrieff didn’t like this; the fellow was too sure of himself. It was quite possible that four people could be ousted here and Rothman would make an ideal candidate for the position.

  “So what’s this brilliant brain blast you’ve had?”

  “Come here; let me point something out to you. That chap fastening those struts what do you notice about him?”

  “Nothing unusual as far as I can see. Just a labourer doing his job.”

  “Really, look carefully, at his gloves.”

  “They’re a little dilapidated, so what?”

  “And that fellow over there…look at his boots and that one and that other fellow there, look at the webbing for his air supply bottles.”

  “I don’t get your point.”

  “All their safety equipment is in terrible state.”

  “Well some of the Union chiefs have had their powers seriously curtailed and they don’t like it. All we have to do is get the unions to stir the pot and make an issue of it.”

  “I don’t see what good it would do; all she needs do is requisition more before any real brouha comes about and you and the unions will be left out in the cold.”

  “Not if someone or more than someone gets killed.”

  “Now wait a minute, Rothman, you can include me out, as someone once said.”

  “Sorry Moncrieff but you have already included yourself in. I have enough incriminating documents to show that this was not only your idea but carried out under your jurisdiction. So you’ll have to get used to playing with the big boys.”

  Moncrieff took a deep breath and let it out slowly. He would have to play this carefully or he might find himself on a one-way ticket to the sun.

  “Safety equipment is not being attended to. So What”

  “It goes deeper than that. The point is that the workers’ basic rights are being trampled on. They are entitled to the best accident protection that can be provided. They are entitled to safety meetings and they can expect their leaders to keep their promises.

  When this program was first mooted the workers were guaranteed that their rights would not be compromised. With sub-standard safety equipment causing a death or two; wouldn’t you say their rights are compromised? Pick out the position you would like. It’s yours – your reward for thinking of this idea in the first place.”

  Moncrieff expected that whatever position he chose would not have a very good retirement plan. He should have known, Rothman was one of those Union Men and their enrolment techniques could be rough. So far he could not recall too many who may have resigned from the unions. Somehow, he didn’t think he would be the first.

  ###

  In the weightlessness of space, the huge prefabricated section swinging into place and then being set while it was welded looked easy but it was that last three metres when the magnets took over that was dangerous. Normally the hoist drivers called a warning and flashed warning lights when sections were magnetised.

  The machine operators all had dead man’s switches they were supposed to hold and nothing could work until all interlocks for any particular operation was closed. These switches have to be operated in strict sequence and backed by a recognition gauntlet.

  This time the third station was being operated when the recognition gauntlet short circuited. The wearer could be seen jerking around and screaming his pain if anybody would have noticed but in space an unamplified voice didn’t carry very far.

  Several men were putting a thirty tonne section into place when the electro- magnet lost power and the large flat face swivelled. And while weightlessness meant that the actual strike would do no physical harm the blow swatted the men so that the air-pipes that connected them to the manifold broke away and they drifted away without being able to grab the manifold and re-connect. In the vacuum of after space loss of air can result in a quick death.

  An enquiry showed that the gauntlet of one of the men had a bad insulation fault and short circuited. The gauntlet tripped a safety device and without power it was not easy to prevent movement of the section. The workers were brushed aside into a danger area a man not involved with the welding saw the tripped circuit breaker and trying to be helpful switched it back on.

  The magnet came in with a powerful attractive force; and six men were crushed.

  ###

  A number of minor accidents occurred and then three men were shot into space on a scaffold car when it did not respond to a call to move to another position. One of the men kicked the control box in anger. A nitrogen pressure pipe broke loose and started the car on its rocket-like journey into space. Securing bolts pulled free quickly and the car took off rolling head over heels as it shot into space.

  The scaffold car and the bodies were recovered; the investigation ruled, accidental death due to sub-standard equipment. The workers began to mutter and the muttering became a rumble. Unscheduled meetings were held and the mood became one of anger. Productivity suffered.

  Communication in regard to protective gear should have been made at safety meetings but safety meetings were redundant it seemed. Records were months and in some cases years out of date. The Investigating committee made some cutting remarks in regard to personal protective gear. With worker’s personal safety gear so bad huge spontaneous strikes took place.

  Workers from near and far made a bee-line to Earth.

  ##

  “Jean-Paul, what the hell is going on? The workers are refusing to board the rockets to their workstations and those out on site are returning to base so fast flight control is having a hard time managing them.”

  “But why; what brought this on?”

  Denise walked into Hola’s office, “Occupational Health and Safety regulations. “It seems we have no regard for the workers’ safety.”

  “That’s nonsense.”

  “Unfortunately it’s not. The workers are right we have not been paying attention to their rights. I expect the full weight of the law will fall on us.”

  “As bad as that?”

  “Yes and we’ve nobody to blame but ourselves.”

  ###

  The cities filled with workers at a dangerous rate. Something had to give.”

  “What makes it worse is that on nearly every street corner a rabble rousing sea-lawyer in worker’s clothing is proclaiming our total disregard for their safety and rights. They’re even mentioning us by name.”

  “I could kick myself for overlooking something so rudimentary. I’m not even going to plead work pressure. It was carelessness, plain and simple so I’ll take the heat.”

  “No Hola, we’re all to blame. We’ll stand united but we will not lie.”

  They raised their hands and then clasped them together in a firm display of unity. I for one will take the Helmet of Justice when the time comes.

  ###

  The chants from the striking workers carried clearly from the street below, “Down with Hola, down with Hola Jean-Paul and Denise. Up with Rothman and Moncrieff. Down with Hola ….” It took a long while for the chants to fade into the distance.

  “Well there you have it the workers’ serenade in the accents of Mars, Uranus and Titan. I didn’t realise they hated us so much.”

  “They don’t,” said Hola through clenched teeth. The whole thing is contrived. Rothman and Moncrieff, two of the most useless articles I h
ave ever come across. Always demanding senior positions. The workers would not voluntarily have chosen those two oxygen thieves.

  It’s contrived. If we can hold on long enough I believe the more intelligent of them will see through it and we’ll see a backlash.”

  “I hope you’re right, Jean-Paul,” said Hola grimly.

  ###

  The streets blocked with the sheer volume of humanity and aerial freeways were wall to wall vehicles all going nowhere. Ground level space would have to be found for the vehicles before they started dropping from the skies as power charges failed

  Police circulated using all sorts of address systems to direct the vehicles. Parking space on every city level filled rapidly. Traffic was going nowhere the police parked vehicles nose to tail and wall to wall and co-opted stacker frames to stack them vertically.

  Every force generator that could be found was brought into being to keep vehicles in the air. Extrication would be a problem for the future. A group dressed all in black irresponsibly switched off several force generators and nine people were killed by falling cars. The mood on the street worsened.

  ###

  Two separate incidences set off the first riots Earth had known since the Martian Protests more than two hundred years ago. Vehicles and people jammed together like sardines in a can were showing anger in proportion to the resentment they were feeling.

  The first incident was a shop window in the CBD breaking. There is nothing like the sound of breaking glass for inflaming an already tense and angry mob. A frenzy of breaking windows and screams followed that first accidently broken window.

  The second incident occurred at the Air Field and was also inevitable. Two ships, in violation of control tower instructions both attempted to land at the same time, touched wings and spun out of control making circles across the ground like huge wagon wheels, spinning nose over tail toward the open mouth of an air-liner service hangar shedding parts and sparks as they went.

  For a minute it looked as if there would be no fire but first one then the other became fiery Catherine wheels making straight for the open doors of the hangar.

  The inside of the hangar suddenly resembled an upset ants’ nest as workers scrambled frantically even jumping from scaffolding and elevated workstations knowing full well they had no chance of escaping before the two rockets ploughed into the guts of the hanger. For the smallest measure of time nothing happened and then a single scream split the air only to be overwhelmed by the roar of a huge fireball rising from the ill-fated hangar.

  The multi-coloured fire ball was pushed upward into the sky by a horrific red, orange and yellow pillar intertwined with dark blue and black arterial cords of twisting death. The message of disaster needed no broadcasting it sped through the air and shouted in people’s ears, “A disaster has taken place.”

  Soon secondary messages would follow and moods became more than ugly; culprits would be sought.

  ###

  Before looking for culprits the final nail in the coffin of horror was hammered home, the pressures building up inside the hanger demanded release. The roof took off like a child’s kite, the sides of the hangar swelled like a balloon being blown up before it burst. An over-inflated balloon blowing its shredded structure all over the airfield and adding to the carnage already deployed.

  The whole universe suddenly fell silent the only sound was the spitefully crackling flames of the burning hangar. The first emergency vehicles sounded their klaxons and sped toward the conflagration. Hola, Denise and Jean-Paul ran as fast as they could, flying up steps and not waiting for elevators.

  Jean-Paul might have been slightly built but that body carried a lot of strength. A burly security guard stepped in his way thinking that he was just another rubber necker trying to get a better view of the disaster.

  Jean-Paul’s hand came out in a true hand off style of a rugby player and the guard measured his length on the floor. The trio never missed a step but flew to the observation deck of the VIP floor.

  In the air, on the ground, in the buildings and on the runways chaos was king.

  ###

  At least one air traffic controller showed initiative, by shouting orders and bullying pilots he managed to bring order to the myriad aircraft each flying its own holding pattern. He mustered them into orbital resonance and stacked them in heights according to their needs. One by one he was bringing them in to land on the far end of the airfield away from the crash. What they saw on the ground was motivation enough for the pilots to co-operate.

  ###

  The mood on the street was angry, the workers marched, chanted and pumped angry fists into the air. Loud voices demanded that Hola, Denise and Jean-Paul be handed over to them.

  “Give us the murderers… give us the killers. Justice for the workers.”

  “If they think I was responsible for that disaster then its best I go out and face them,” Hola said.

  “I’m afraid not Dr Amandla the minister is arranging for you to address them on holograph in the morning. In the meantime, you are under my care so settle down to spending the night in a maximum security cell.”

  “Are we under arrest?”

  “No its only protective custody.”

  ###

  “Dr Hola Amandla; this court has been convened to decide on your culpability in regard to the supply and wearing of safety gear by the workmen and women involved in Operation Rescue. The court does not require the wearing of justice helmets for a variety of reasons which were discussed by both counsels and accepted by both counsels in my chambers.

  Dr Amandla your protest to being prevented from wearing the Helmet is noted.

  Doctor you are represented by Counsellor Benjamin Bradshaw; please stand Counsellor Bradshaw so the court can recognize you. Thank you; and the people are represented by Counsellor Lord Douglas Moncrief. Please stand Counsellor. Thank you.

  Let proceedings begin. Counsellor Moncrief you may address the court.”

  “Thank you your Worship. Your Worship and Ladies and Gentlemen of the public and judicial system. The work being carried out is the most critical that has ever been undertaken in this world or any other and we cannot afford people who are substandard administrators to run these works. The accused does not deny her culpability and hence her inability to manage a task of this magnitude. In not ensuring the dispersement and wearing of safety equipment and not holding regular safety inspections and meetings the accused has shown how dangerous amateurs, regardless of how gifted, can be.

  Her carelessness has spread to a degree where two hundred workmen have lost their lives in horrific accidents…”

  “Objection my lord,” Bradshaw was on his feet, “Had the pilots of those two craft obeyed control tower instructions that accident would not have occurred. In any case it has no bearing on this case which is dealing with OH and S matters.”

  “Members of the Tribunal will ignore any reference to matters that do not come under Occupational auspices. The court stenographer will remove those remarks from mind and record. Please continue Mr Moncrief.”

  “I propose that the accused have her guilty plea upheld and that she be removed from her office and that she receive a nominal sentence for misrepresenting herself and her capabilities. I suggest a nominal sentence only on the grounds that up to now she has not done a bad job. But bad job or good job sooner or later her shortcomings would have been uncovered. It may well be that we can be thankful that she was found out sooner rather than later and not at a most critical time of the project. I rest my case.”

  “Mr Bradshaw do you wish to address the court?”

  “I do your worship.”

  “Please proceed.”

  “To say that Hola Amandla is not capable of running a job of this nature is tantamount to saying that a canary cannot sing. Your worship there is only one person in this whole solar system who can manage thi
s project and that is Dr Amandla.

  “To sentence her to even a nominal sentence would be a gross miscarriage of justice and a threat to the greatest project ever undertaken.

  I have been approached by many of the erstwhile strikers who regret giving into hot-headed strike action.”

  “Objection your worship…”

  “Overruled. I wish to hear what Counsellor Bradshaw has to say and then I will confer with the other two justices before ruling on the matter. Proceed Mr Bradshaw.”

  “Your worship I have been approached by more than a hundred persons, some very senior in the union movements, who regret the part they played in the strike. They all make the same contention that there are two sides to every story and that the unions have to admit to their culpability in this matter by not ensuring that correct procedures were followed. One request for a safety meeting would have forestalled this whole sorry mess.

  That the whole matter was purposely orchestrated and the orchestrators should be made to answer for their failure to bring the matter of safety equipment to the attention of management instead of stirring rage.

  I have a list of the names and locations of all who approached me and they in turn have drawn up a list of known agitators.”

  “For the court’s records,” the judge said, “I, too a Senior Justice of Solaria have been approached by several hundred persons with similar requests. Therefore, in the interests of Justice I am going to suspend these proceedings and allow the Project to proceed under the management of Dr Amandla until accusations of the kind made against named persons are either upheld or negated. Court dismissed.”

  Hola turned to her lawyer, “I couldn’t ask for a fairer judgement than that. Thank you very much Mr Bradshaw.”

  “Judge Hopgood is no fool he realises that to remove you from the project now would be a major catastrophe but as the old saying goes; justice must not only be done it must be seen to be done and if I’m any judge of character that’s just what the old bird will do.”

  ##

  “Thanks Moncrief, a fine kettle of fish you’ve got me into this time. I’m being investigated for murder”