2042: The Great Cataclysm

by Melisande Mason

  The President rose indicating the meeting was over. Nick sat with his head in his hands, his headache had escalated and the veins on his temples were thumping. The other men remained virtually silent, lost in their own thoughts, riveted to their seats by some unexplainable force.

  Josh jabbed Nick with his elbow. ‘Are you okay Nick? You look like shit. C’mon we can use my office to set up an information centre. I’ve already cancelled all my appointments.’ They nodded to the remaining five men as they left the room, further conversation was unnecessary. They had said it all!

  ***

  The World Government

  In the early twenty-twenties when the ice caps melted sufficiently to raise the sea level over two metres, it became necessary to move billions of people to higher ground, forsaking the cities that had served the populations for hundreds of years. For a while the massive dykes that averaged five metres in height and twenty metres deep at their bases, combined with co-ordinated projects of river and coastal engineering held the rising sea at bay. Governments were under no illusion that they could maintain this defence, and it became necessary to find homes for their people living in the threatened areas.

  The combined population of India and China had grown to five billion by 2035. The relocation of millions of people across these countries would have an impact on their society to the point it could not be sustained. It was decided by the United Nations that these people should be relocated to other countries who could support a sudden increase in population. A world ruling body was formed to transcend country borders. This body was called the World Government and was made up of three leaders from every country, who would work with Presidents, Ministers, Kings and such and be responsible for the logistics of these manoeuvres.

  Citizens were given priority for relocation followed by refugees from the rising sea. People were moved to Europe, Canada, United States and Australia. The task was enormous and claimed the full range of emergency services, military, government and private resources. By 2042 this operation was floundering under the weight of the enormity of the work still to be done.

  Chapter Eleven

  Laura was sleeping soundly when Nick arrived home. Deciding not to disturb her he napped fitfully on the lounge. The morning sun’s bright rays pierced the room forcing him to reluctantly prise open his eyes. The apartment was silent as he fumbled for his clothes careful again not to rouse her.

  Maxime rubbed against his ankles purring wildly. ‘C’mon Max, let’s get you some milk.’ He whispered and tiptoed to the kitchen. Maxime wrapped herself around his ankles as he filled her dish. ‘Don’t know what you’ll think about all this, Max.’ He said. ‘What will become of you and your kind?’ Helping himself to a glass he glanced around the stainless steel kitchen at the sophisticated appliances that were all controlled by voice command. So much had changed since 2025 and Nick wondered what would happen to this beautiful apartment. Feeling a little guilty for his abrupt departure the previous evening, he thought it may be prudent to give Laura some time to cool down, so he patted Maxime and left without waking her.

  Laura awoke late and became worried when she realised Nick had not come home, or had he? Memories of last night flooded back. He had really frightened her with that talk about earthquakes and floods. Where could he be? Surely the meeting with the President couldn’t have lasted all night?

  She dressed hurriedly and went to the kitchen to make coffee. She spotted the saucer of milk on the floor and realised he had indeed come home. ‘Nick?’ She went from room to room expecting to see him. Now she was really worried. Determined to find out more about what was going on she ordered the car to take her to the Capitol.

  Finding the President’s office barred, her next stop was Josh’s office where she burst into the room without knocking, surprising both he and Nick who were engrossed in a mountain of papers. ‘I’m sorry to barge in like this Josh but I have to talk to Nick!’

  Nick realised that he’d picked the wrong time to tell her last night, running off as he did without explaining everything. ‘I’m sorry Laura. I’m tied up right now, meetings all day you know how it is.’

  ‘I’ve had time to think about what you told me last night and I need some answers.’

  Nick stood quickly and taking her arm gently guided her back to the door. ‘We’ll have dinner tonight. We can talk about Australia then. I’ll pick you up at eight Okay?’ He shuffled her back to the door.

  ‘But, Nick.’ She spluttered throwing him a quizzical look. ‘You can’t leave me up in the air like this. I don’t like it!’

  He kissed his fingertips and gently pressed them against her lips, more to quieten her than to say goodbye. ‘Promise I won’t be late.’ He closed the door on her and turning to Josh, answered his puzzled look with a shrug of his shoulders. ‘I just asked her to go home with me, I don’t know what she’s all hett up about.’

  The remainder of the day was fraught by a constant barrage of never-ending questions. Nick called Wolf for lengthy discussions on their findings. The phone buzzed incessantly and at two o’clock in the afternoon, they were recalled to the World Government emergency meeting in the President’s office.

  ‘Boy, when he says immediate action he means it.’ Nick remarked as they headed off to the meeting.

  Chapter Twelve

  General Worth’s day was charged with activity. He had sat through that meeting with rising excitement listening to the President’s responses to Nick Torren’s revelations. However it wasn’t until he lay in bed that night that the grand scheme came to his mind.

  He was an enigma, a small angry man puny but fit. He wore his brindle coloured hair shaved close to his skull. A thin, almost invisible scar ran above his left ear down his jawline and pulled the skin on his face, giving him a perpetual sneer that most people mistook for a slight smile. He never smiled, that would give others the impression he liked them, he didn’t like anybody and nobody liked him. He attained the rank of three star general through subterfuge, manipulation and deception and his ambition had no boundaries. He aspired to the highest rank and nothing was going to stop him. Grey piercing eyes that turned dark were the only outward signs that his anger was aroused.

  He despised the untrustworthy President whom he could not control, and barely tolerated Vice-president Peterson. Politicians were the bottom of the pack as far as he was concerned, but he would not let them see his antipathy.

  However, he agreed with Walker that they could not afford to ignore this situation. Worth had no intention of ignoring it, he planned to exploit it for all it was worth. To enable his plan to work he needed to gain the support of some of his trusted colleagues. If he pulled this off those extra three stars would be his, and he could offer them more than sufficient reward for their loyalty.

  The overall scenario ran around in his head. There would be panic all right, but he would make sure he was well out of the way before that occurred. The nuclear shelter known as Mt. Rockwell in the hills surrounding Washington would be his refuge and his realm. He began to wonder if former President Cash had had a vision when he instigated project Star Flight back in 1980. Worth always knew he was destined to do great things, and now the way to that goal had opened up and he wasted no time summonsing the men he wanted by his side. There would be only two who would know his true intentions, the others would simply obey orders.

  One of those two men was General Porter Douglas, a general of lower rank than himself but of equal ambition; the other was his ally in the cabinet, Secretary of State Bob Anderson. It had taken years and many favours under-the-table to gain their loyalty for which he now intended to call in his markers. He was far too canny to rely on loyalty alone, and kept a thick dossier on each man with enough information to sink both careers should they decide to turn on him.

  The morning after the President’s meeting, Worth called both these men to his office at the Pentagon and told his aide not disturb them.

  Secretary Bob Anderson lounged in the visitors cha
ir opposite Worth’s desk and glared at the coffee in his cup, swirling it around several times before drinking its contents. He didn’t get up when Porter Douglas entered the room and Douglas scowled in his direction. Douglas’s breath rasped and he held his hand to his chest, a habit he’d developed since learning of his heart problem. Worth was sure of his support, as Porter Douglas at 62, was being forced into early retirement, which meant he would have to take a cut in salary, and his years of living like a fat calf would come to an abrupt end.

  Douglas’s pinched eyes darkened and he returned Bob Anderson’s frown before sitting in the other chair beside him. The men greeted each other curtly and General Worth pulled a file from his drawer and passed it to Douglas. ‘We had a very interesting meeting with the President yesterday, Douglas.’ He rasped. ‘Read through this while I order some coffee. More for you Anderson?’

  ‘Yeah. Thanks.’ Anderson replied lighting up a small cigar. He leaned back and silently watched while Douglas read through the report. Smoke from the cigar wafted toward the general who coughed loudly.

  Anderson sneered and puffed an extra cloud of smoke toward Douglas.

  Douglas sniffed and returned to the report as the aide brought the coffee.

  Bob Anderson’s thoughts drifted back to the previous night’s game when he’d dropped a large amount of cash. He’d being doing too much of that lately, and if kept up he would have to sell his Ferrari. He fingered his neat moustache that was beginning to show signs of grey, and worry lines furrowed his smooth brow. He idly tapped his fingers on the desk impatiently wondering why Worth had called this meeting.

  Worth remained still, with his left elbow resting on the desk, fingers caressing his mouth tapping out some rhythm only he could hear. Douglas laid down the file.

  ‘Is this a joke?’

  ‘No. Well some people think it is, but I think not.’

  ‘Who’s this Torrens character?’ He asked Worth.

  ‘Scientist. Fairly good one too from what I hear.’

  Douglas turned to Anderson. ‘What about you Anderson? Do you believe this?’

  ‘Damned if I know. What I believe doesn’t count.’

  ‘What’s the President stance?’ Douglas said swivelling his head to each of them.

  ‘That bastard would accept anything if he thought it’d make him look good.’ Worth growled.

  ‘Then I take it he believes Torrens?’ Douglas said.

  Worth stood and walked to the window, gripping his hands behind his back. He seemed distracted for a moment. ‘He’s calling another meeting today.’

  ‘Why did you call me here?’ Douglas asked.

  ‘You’re going to love this, but I don’t wanna hear about it outside this room?’

  Bob Anderson pricked up his ears. He shared Worth’s dislike for President Walker and he thrived on intrigue of any kind. ‘You’ve got my word. What about you Douglas?’

  Douglas nodded. ‘Of course.’

  ‘It’s no secret that I don’t get along with Walker, or Peterson either for that matter.’ Worth said. ‘I don’t trust either of them. They couldn’t run a goddamn ice-cream stand. Walker baulks me whatever way he can. I know it’s him stopping my rise in the ranks. Probably yours too Douglas. He’s got his favourites, the ones he can control. Cooper’s one of them. We need someone in charge who recognises our talents, or be persuaded to.’

  ‘Just who do you think that’d be?’ Anderson said.

  ‘Peterson perhaps.’

  ‘That shitbag!’ Anderson scoffed. ‘What makes you think he’ll be any different?’

  Worth grinned and studied his fingernails. ‘I’ve got some dirt on him that’ll guarantee co-operation.’

  Both Douglas and Anderson squirmed in their seats.

  ‘Why can’t you do the same with Walker?’ Douglas said.

  ‘Yeah, well. The worst I can get on him is that he beats his wife.’

  Douglas leaned forward narrowing his eyes. ‘He beats his wife?’

  Worth wagged his head. ‘Yeah, he beats his wife.’ He mimicked. ‘Yet that’s not enough to make him step aside. I’d have no proof unless the First Lady confirms it. He’d probably end up giving her a fatal blow to shut her up, then his henchmen would cover it up. Anyway it could be something I can use come the time.’

  ‘Come the time for what?’ Douglas asked.

  ‘There’ll be so much confusion in the ranks leading up to this event, it won’t be hard to see that Walker has an accident’.

  ‘You’re planning to kill the President?’ Douglas’s voice raised a few decibels. ‘I wont’ have any part of it!’

  ‘Who asked you? Did you hear me say that? I said an accident. Accidents happen.’

  Anderson had been listening with growing interest. ‘Then Peterson steps in, the one you’ve got a shitload of dirt on. Goddamned brilliant! Yet I don’t see you risking everything for another three stars.’

  ‘Apart from money what do you think controls the people?’

  Anderson shrugged and looked at Douglas.

  ‘Food! Control the food and you control the masses.’

  ‘So this’s about control?’

  Worth sighed. He rose from his chair to pace the room. ‘What d’you think the future’s going to be like? All our technological advances won’t mean shit. We’ve been building alternative communities on government land for the past twenty years. A big majority of the people have taken up the interest-free loans to relocate, but they’re really pissed off about abandoning their cushy existences in the cities to live in substandard, basic roof-over-the-head homes. Millions have resisted the move, hoping the sea will stop rising, but guess what? If what Torrens says is true, none of that will matter, our major cities will disappear under a wall of water taking with it everything that everyone owns.

  The ones that refused to evacuate will pay anything for food and shelter. We’ll control both!’ He banged his fist on the desk for added effect.

  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.