Resilience (Warner's World Book 6) by Dave O'Connor Read Free Book Online Page B

“Just maybe, if it does happen, we may need to find another test system.”
    “What, another star system?”
    “Yes.”
    “Oh terrific and how do you expect me to explain that to cabinet let alone the public.”
    “We all have our crosses to bear” said Obeida, straight faced.
    “Well that may be so. No supernovas. OK?”
    “We’ll do our best” said Obeida, glad to wrap the meeting up. She pointed at the signature page.
    Julian cast a quick look at Glen and then with a swipe digitally signed the approval. “OK you have your approval from me re the expenditure but cabinet will need to sign off before you can even consider using another star system.”
    It wasn’t until after lunch that Julian approached Malissa Karalis, the Chief Minister, about the issue. They were in her large office. Malissa was busy. She pointed to the chair opposite, rather than to the lounge chairs. So Julian knew he had to hurry. He explained things briefly easing her into it. Finally he dropped the bombshell about the possible need for another test site.
    “Oh things just keep getting better, don’t they?” asked Malissa. “Belinda!” she called out loudly.
    Belinda Klondike, Malissa’s Senior Political Advisor, entered with a disapproving look on her face that Malissa chose to ignore. “Minister” she said to Julian as she took the adjacent seat. She read the brief provided and the hairs on the back of her neck stood up when she got to the part about another star system. “You are not serious are you?”
    “Yes I am…for the reasons outlined.”
    Belinda blew out air through her mouth and looked to gauge Malissa’s reaction. Malissa batted the ball back to her with her facial expression. “Well, this won’t win us any votes, that’s for sure. As you say, maybe it won’t be needed. But if it does we need a cover story I suppose, something plausible.”
    “Got any suggestions” asked Malissa.
    “Am I the only brains trust here?”
    “You’re the only one being asked.”
    “Let me think on it. I’m sure supernovas happen all the time, right?” But she got no reaction from either of them. She pondered and then said “We may have to come clean on this. I think the public will understand the need for it.”
    “Yes they may well do” said Julian. “But what signal does that send to the rogan. That we’re developing the same tech they are? Next thing you know we’ll have our systems being clobbered.”
    “I think they already tried that over Polaris, albeit with nukes” countered Belinda.
    “Yeah and we were able to limit that because we could concentrate our defences on one planet in the system. It’s going to be damm hard to prevent one of these PME devices from being used when they can hit anyone of multiple planets within the system.”
    “This will have to go to cabinet” said Malissa “but we need to canvass out all the options Julian. I want you to develop those more fully.” She flicked through her schedule on her terminal. “Fifteenth enough time?” she asked. Julian nodded. “OK then” and with a flourish of her hand indicated they could leave.
     
     

Chapter 22. Intikrus 1500, 10 September
    Marra and Angina had just stopped to take a mid-afternoon break. They were walking to a nearby cafe when Angina was hailed. “Yes Admiral” she responded as she manoeuvred in amongst the crowds at the street level.
    “I have just been recalled to Istridium. Is this your doing?”
    Angina could barely hear him over all the street noise. “What did you say?”
    “I said I have just been recalled to Istridium. Is this your doing?” He blurted out the last part with real annoyance.
    She ducked into the foyer of the office complex they were passing, with Marra following. As the doors closed behind them she could finally hear clearly. “Sorry I was outside. Can you say that again please?”
    “I have just been recalled to Istridium. Is this your doing?” This time each word was stated painfully slow.