Chapter 72 The Presidents
Who knew it would take so long to reach the president when you had planet ending news. He waited half an hour just to get to the right secretary. Then there was a whole chain of command thing that took another hour being transferred and on hold and transferred again. "The damn thing will be here by the time I get off the phone." "Watch your temper David." Lori said from the kitchen in her robe, pouring coffee. He growled. "If I didn't know better I'd swear they were avoiding me."
"Hello Dr Tyler, this is the Presidents appointment secretary, Julia Mills. I have been instructed to offer you an appointment next week. Thursday at 2 ok for you?" He sat there dumbfounded. "Julia did you make it clear to the Presidents Chief of Staff, that what I have to tell him, and the President, is literally about the end of the world? This is not a crank call. I am a professor at the university of New Phoenix."
"Yes Doctor, They are aware of your findings and have already been in contact with the scientific community about the problem. Do you want the appointment or don't you." "WHO! Who are they talking to?" There was silence on the other end. He gave up, "Yes, Julia, I suppose I do. Any 'ol time will be just dandy." Lori growled behind him. "Very well sir, 2pm on the 6th. Doctor we also ask you not to discuss this with anyone. We don't need a public panic. Thank You." David heard the phone click as she hung up.
He looked at the phone stunned and couldn't move for a full ten seconds. "I'm trying to tell them that all life on this planet is in danger and they just put me off till next week." He said it aloud to try to comprehend it. Lori laughed at the expression on his face. "So much for your ten-minute theory. Are you ready to meet with them?" David sighed and looked up at her, "Yes, Chris will present the facts and I'll try not to burn the building to the ground." She nodded, "Good plan." "I need to let him know about the delay." David dialed Chris' private line, but got someone else. "Dr Bradley is unavailable at this time. Thank you." The man hung up without any explanation. "He hung up on me!" "Chris?" "No, someone has Chris' phone. He hung up on me. What the hell is going on?"
David's frustration was very evident. He got up and ran his fingers through his hair and began to pace about the room. Anxiety and anger picking up with each step until he stopped short and looked at her. "Who do we know that could get us in faster? There must be someone with enough influence to speed this up." Lori thought a moment. They were not exactly inner circle. The people they dealt with were mostly just councilmen and lawyers. "What about the president of the university? He must have some clout. Was he at your meeting?"
David took a breath, "Yes, he was there. I told him I would be meeting with the president. I'm sure he understands this should be done immediately." David picked up the phone and dialed. "President Gatumba this is David Tyler, I need your help." David went on to describe the way he'd been treated on such an urgent matter.
The president was sympathetic but cool. "David I understand your frustration, but it's already being handled." David was shocked, "By whom?" "Chris Bradley is already there with his findings, along with several heads of department from other universities and even other planets. Did you really think the others would stay silent? They have been working round the clock on a solution." David's voice betrayed little of what he was feeling. "Really, And what have they come up with?"
The President Gatumba was not happy with their plan, and was trying not to let David know it. "They have an evacuation plan in place and are going to start transporting people, city by city, to Tovar and one of its moons. Their entire fleet is on its way and should be able to take on two thirds of the population. With a 6-week trip to Tovar and back, they hope to have everyone evacuated. There may be enough time, while the planet is still behind the sun." David was silent. They had decided to let the planet and everything they have worked for, die, before even hearing him.
Not Going To Happen! He could imagine what the populace would do when they found the citizens of one city were going to be saved before them. The riots would be of epic proportions. There will be nothing left for the meteors to destroy. Three weeks in a cargo hold, jammed in like sheep! There won't be enough food to last the trip. They would fall on each other like wolves. No matter where you were, on a ship or on the planet, people were going to die, badly.
"I take it you are not happy with this proposal Mr. President." "Whether I am happy or not means little to them. This is the work of the presidents science advisor, Bill Chapman. News of it is already spreading to the population. If you're going to do something David, you need to do it now. I'm afraid the time for a diplomatic solution is over. It won't matter anymore if you wait a week."
David's face was the cold stone of an avenging angel. "Leave it to me."
He hung up the phone and went to the bedroom to take a shower and change. Lori followed him with concern. "What are you going to do?" "What I have to." Was his only reply. He stopped and kissed her gently then a hug and whisper in her ear. "I love you. Dad and I are going to have to make them see sense. You're coming with us." "But, David, I haven't packed, I've got to get back to the office and finish up that deposition…" "Forget it!" He said angry. "Screw the deposition, this world is about to implode. When word of it reaches this city, they will tear it apart. I'm not leaving you in the middle of that. You're coming with me!"
ppoOoqq
He was just hanging up when she came in the room putting the finishing touches on her hair. "Have you made reservations to get us to the capital?" David grinned, "No, the capital is coming to us." Just then a breeze began to stir in the apartment and an odd sound filled the room. A kind of screeching whine whistled all around them. A part of the apartment began to grow fuzzy as an object tried to appear. When it materialized with a loud boom, Lori's eyes were the size of saucers.
"What the hell is that?" She pointed at the Tardis. David smiled, "That's our ride." The door opened and the Time Lord peeked out. "Oh, hi Lori. All aboard." David pulled Lori over to the blue box and pushed her inside, despite her protests. She stopped, staring, and immediately back out. David was outside grinning, amused at her expected reaction. She walked around the outside and then looked at him with a comical face. "This is my father ship. It's called the Tardis. It moves in space and time, and it's going to save a lot of lives. Aren't you girl." He patted the wall and the machine warbled.
"Why…How…" David kissed her quick, "I'll explain later, Trust me." Her demeanor softened, and she went back in. The Time Lord was pleased to see the effect his ship had on Lori. He was very proud of the Tardis and didn't have much chance to show her off. Today was going to be one of those days when he would impress more than one person. It almost made him giggle.
"Welcome aboard Lori. Please get comfortable where you can. Next stop, the executive office." The Time Lord had been there many times and knew the exact spot he wanted to land. He grinned with anticipation. With luck he would be party to a kidnapping. He flew around the central column pushing buttons and flipping switches, finally settling on the last lever. David had settled Lori in the jump seat. "Hold on."
The machine squealed and screeched and disappeared from the room. Lori didn't feel any different, but knew something was happening. The two men in the room were as excited as children with a new toy. She began to see a shimmer in the space next to the entrance ramp. It took the form of two people with a chart on a screen. When the image solidified she recognized the President immediately. The screen fell to the floor and shattered taking the chart with it. The other man was Bill Chapman.
The Time Lord and his son stood tall before them. David walked past their stunned faces to the door. The many people in the outer room, also agape, stood silent. One of them was Chris Bradley. "It's all right. Excuse us for a moment we have a crisis to resolve. He'll be back momentarily." They listened to him , still not moving. David let out a loud whistle to break the spell. "Chris! Over here." He motioned him to come. Chris looked around, delighted at their reaction, and ran for the Tardis door.
Chapter 73 The Rock