2042: The Great Cataclysm (8 page)

Nick felt exhausted, and he felt an emptiness in his stomach not caused by the lack of food. He searched anxiously for Josh who he quickly spotted over the crowd. It wasn’t hard. Josh was powerfully built, slightly taller than himself with gleaming ebony skin and an engaging smile. People were always surprised to learn Josh was a scientist; his handsome appearance and charismatic personality suggested a highly successful salesman, a movie star or even a basketball hero, never an academic. Josh refused to bend to the fashion dictates of the day and dressed as usual in his immaculate three-piece suit. He did however, wear an eye-phone. Close-cropped hair glistened under the bright airport lights and penetrating dark-chocolate eyes danced before Nick’s.

‘Glad your back buddy!’  He grinned gripping Nick on the shoulder with a strong hand, pumping his other hand. ‘Can’t wait to hear what you’ve been up to.’

Nick sighed. ‘I don’t know where to start.’  The familiar aroma of Josh’s Pour Homme invaded his nostrils, contrasting the smell from his own fetid body, and Nick realised his demeanour would disturb Josh.  His honest piercing eyes flickered in all directions avoiding contact, and he glanced around as he spoke. ‘Not here anyway.’

‘Okay, I can wait until we get to Laura’s.’

‘’m not going to Laura’s, I’ve decided to spend the night in a hotel.  I’ll call her and explain I’m held up. I’ve gotta get some sleep.’

Josh narrowed his eyes. ‘Ohhh? Why were you in Anchorage? Last I heard, you were still at Mururoa.’

‘I’ll fill you in tomorrow. It’s late and um, I need a shower, and the last thing I need is questions right now. Okay?’

Josh blinked. ‘Okay, fine.’ He glanced at Nick’s overnight bag. ‘That it?’

‘Yup.’

They walked in silence to the car park. ‘How come there’s only Trancars here?’ Nicked looked around at row upon row of small two-seater vehicles. He thought them unattractive and a little antisocial, as one passenger seat was situated behind the other. If one wanted more than two passengers, another car could be automatically connected to the rear by voice command.

This driverless innovative design provided solar power through a square panel no bigger than a standard writing pad, whose solar cells rotated to follow the sun and provide full power to run the vehicle twenty-four hours. This small pad was imbedded in the opaque top of the transparent hood made of Navilon like that used on the Platypus, it also generated power for the GPS system that enabled the passenger to give voice directions to their destination, and alter that destination if required. The GPS system would take them to that destination by the quickest route avoiding any traffic jams along the way.  Not only had this Trancar revolutionised ground travel, but it had stopped all pollution and road accidents, as it was able to detect other cars in it’s path and deviate, thus avoiding crashes.

‘They’re compulsory now. No petrol or diesel cars are permitted within the city limits anymore.’

‘They’re all bloody identical. How d’you know which is yours?’

Josh clicked the key in his hand and a dome three rows away lit up and beeped several times.

‘Bloody ugly things.’ Nick muttered as they approached their car. ‘I bet you miss your limo. They don’t make them with tall guys like us in mind.’

Josh ignored his quip. ‘There’s a small compartment behind the seat for your bag.’

Nick stuffed his bag into the small space and crammed himself into the curved passenger seat.  He pushed a flat button on the armrest and a seatbelt smartly wrapped itself around his body. His shoulders pressed against each side window leaving no room for movement, but at least their was good legroom, even for his long legs. He slammed the door a little harder than he should and immediately felt guilty for his short temper.

Josh climbed in the driver’s seat. ‘Where d’you want to go?’

‘I dunno, any decent pub will do.’

Josh looked over his shoulder. ‘You’re acting very strange Nick. Obviously something bad’s happened. Why can’t you tell me?’

‘Sorry Josh.’ Nick shook loose his hair. ‘You’ll be the first to know. Right now I need to get my head together. D’you mind?’ Nick knew if he told Josh now he would get no sleep at all, and he was desperately tired and his head thumped painfully.

‘Okay buddy. Whatever you say. Hilton Garden Hotel, thanks Tran.’

Josh turned his head again. ‘First thing tomorrow, okay?’

‘Sure.’

The Trancar headed out for the hotel and when they left the car park Josh said, ‘Screen’ and a paper thin screen folded down inside the windscreen blocking his view. ‘We can catch up on the news while we travel.’ He said.

The television panel displayed three split screens. The top right panel displayed his secretary at his office, while the GPS system beneath that screened their movements.  The news caster looked no different to any talking head, except he wore a tight fitting body suit that reminded Nick of his wetsuit.

They travelled the highway into the city in one lane beside seven other lanes carrying long lines of Trancars, some towing two or more cars. Large Tranvans resembling trains occupied the first two lanes. The Trancar was so well insulated that Nick could hear very little traffic noise, just the gentle hum of it’s electric motor.

The monotone voice of the newscaster soon had Nick nodding off to a fitful sleep and he awoke to find himself at the hotel.

‘Eight O’clock - my office!’  Josh ordered.

Without answering, Nick grabbed his bag, closed the door, gently this time, waved over his shoulder and kept walking disappearing quickly through the front doors into the lobby.

***

The hotel room promised a restful stay in a cream and gold suite. A cream leather lounge topped with gold scatter cushions was arranged around a square coffee table and faced the superb view of the Washington skyline. The heady fragrance of a huge vase of cream roses gracing the table permeated the room and complimented the peaceful atmosphere. As in all hotels and most homes today, the wall facing the lounge displayed a very large beautiful painting. This one was a continuation of the Washington skyline. A voice command dissolved the painting to reveal the paper thin display screen. The wall opposite the windows housed the other amenities and the entrance to the large bathroom. Nick temporarily decline the offerings of the mini bar, instead heading immediately into the shower where he lingered as the eight water jets massaged his weary body.

After the shower he decided to get something from the mini bar after all, and was surprised and pleased to see a small bottle of Johnny Walker Black label and a bucket of ice on the shelf.  He realised Josh must have ordered it for him on the way from the airport, and felt guilty at the way he had greeted his friend.  Usually Nick was highly respectful of other’s feelings and Josh, most of all deserved better treatment.

He poured himself a generous slug and flopped onto the lounge.  He wished he had his guitar to take his mind away for a short time.

‘Internet - Netzone.’ He commanded. The display screen shimmered and his favourite search engine awaited his commands. He wanted to see what was happening to the volcanoes being monitored in the Bering Sea.

The news was not good.

He downed his drink.’Internet off. ‘Bed please.’ He commanded. Immediately
the lights dimmed and
the wall behind the lounge area swivelled around to replace the lounge with a king-size bed, it’s thick mattress covered with cream silken sheets,

***

Saturday, May 27

The next morning Nick had waited in line for a single Trancab. Single passengers were not permitted to ride in a dual cab. He arrived late at Josh’s office where he was met by a shapely blond woman in her forties, dressed in a red bodysuit with a cropped jacket trimmed with black. She scraped back her chair and scowled up at him. ‘You’re late! Mr. Harrington went into another meeting.’ She nodded to a lounge in a waiting area. ‘You’ll have to wait over there.’

He didn’t apologise. He waited impatiently, fidgeting, nibbling his sore forefinger and going over his story. Despite his luxury hotel room, sleep had been spasmodic and disturbing and his head still ached. He took some papers from his briefcase and busied himself perusing the contents.

Josh arrived thirty minutes later and beckoned to his haughty secretary who stood and grabbed a notepad.  ‘You’re late!’ He growled. ‘I hope you’re in a better mood than last night.’

Nick wasn’t. Especially after his recent scolding from the secretary. He promised himself he would be more courteous this morning, but had been immediately put offside by the secretary’s attitude. He glared at her. ‘If y’ don’t mind I’d prefer we had this meeting in private.’

‘C’mon, Nick, I do mind. What’s wrong with you?’ Josh said. ‘You know I like to have everything documented.’

‘This time I’m calling the shots, and after you hear what I’ve got to say you can decide what to do with it.  For now it’s just between you and me.’

Josh studied the serious look on Nick’s face and realised he meant what he had said.  Perplexed and a little angry he nodded to his secretary, who sniffed and promptly and left them. They entered the office and Josh quietly closed the door. Nick pushed the pile of papers toward him.

‘There’s enough documentation there to suit you or anybody.  Jeremy’s been very thorough.  After you’ve absorbed that lot you’ll understand my attitude!’

***

Josh’s office at the Capitol was sparsely furnished by comparison to most executive offices.  Heavy chairs of emerald-green leather arranged around a large ten-seater boardroom table dominated the room. It smelled of carnations, and indeed there was a vase of red carnations on the table
.
Secretary must be okay after all
.
Nick thought.   A cluttered desk near the window housed books and a telescope.  A single painting depicting the fine lines of a classic black thoroughbred dominated one wall.  In the world of horses it would be described as having a head like a snake, neck like a swan and a back, three hands long.  The whole aspect reflected a traditional classic coolness.

Nick absentmindedly stroked his wiry moustache and stared out the window while Josh read the reports. His concentration was frazzled his mind continually racing. He likened his life at the moment to a concrete mixer; tumbling, crushing, falling, with feelings all mixed up.  Right now he just wanted to see Laura.

Washington was safe for now. He thought about the Potomac River, about it’s many tributaries and how they had built a series of dams north and south of Snake Island, three miles north of the city to control the flow from the mountains. High barriers the army had built across the Potomac at Fort Washington had kept the rising sea from the south at bay, but he could only imagine what would happen when the earthquakes began. Would those barriers hold, be high enough? He didn’t think so. Washington had experienced earthquakes in 2001, 2015 and as recently as 2030 so the likelihood of them escaping these was remote.

Every city on sea level had taken lessons from the Netherland’s Dykes, gradually isolating their cities from the advancing sea. Los Angeles
-
well that would go if it hadn’t already succumbed in parts
,
Nick thought. The dykes protecting that large city would never be high enough. New York and San Francisco had been building sea barriers since 2014, the Thames Barrier protecting London was on the brink of collapse, and just about every city on Australia’s coastline would drown.

‘Unbelievable! When’s this going to happen? Are you sure? Who knows about this….?  Nick! Are you listening to me?’

‘Sorry. What did you say?’

‘I asked if you’re sure? Who knows about this?’

‘Yeah, I’m positive. My crew and Wolf Drescher know. I kept it quiet ‘till I told you. What d’you think?’

‘What do I think?  What do I think!  It’s unbelievable!’ Josh slapped his skull. ‘Wolf agrees?’

‘Yeah, he was there.’

‘I’m going to need time to digest this.’

Nick leaned forward and tapped Josh’s desk. ‘That’s just it! We don’t have time. We’ve gotta do something now, although I don’t know what. Where d’you start........to save the world?’

‘You were right to keep this quiet.’ Josh puffed. ‘People have been scared since the oceans started rising, once they know about this there’ll be no stopping the pandemonium. We’ll need strategies in place. I’m going to call the President. It’ll take a while, so why don’t you go home and make your plans, but keep your phone on! I think we’re in for some long sessions.

By the way, I read your conclusion about the impending quakes at Mururoa. Shit! That scared me enough...but this?’

Josh began calling people and needing little further persuasion Nick left, calling Laura on his old fashioned sat-phone as he walked to the exit. He flatly refused to use the new heads-up eye-phones and become one of the zombie-like fans addicted to them.

‘Can’t talk right now. Can you meet me at your place in…’ he flipped his watch, ‘an hour?’

‘Something in your voice tells me I’d better say yes.’ She replied.  ‘Not that I need to be talked into it, I can’t wait to see you. An hour’s perfect.’

Chapter Nine

Nick let himself into Laura’s apartment and immediately felt a sense of relief. While he waited his thoughts turned to Australia, to his brother Brian, and to his best friend Graham Bronson in Hawaii. What was he going to tell them? What is more important, how and when will he tell Brian, a journalist? How would they react? Would they believe him? Would they panic? Of course they would! He would try to get hold of Graham after meeting with the President. Maybe he could talk Laura into going with him. Thoughts crammed his mind like a crowd at a pop concert, all trying to get in at once.