BOOK 4: PREPARATION / CH. 13:RELEASE
12.30 UNDERGROUND
“Angus, we're out.” Ed reported. “So, was it a rucksack, or a pile of rocks?”
“Neither. Remember that laser survey ball? It makes a perfect plug. The towing eye was up, thank goodness. So give the word and we'll all heave.”
“You didn't try when you were down there?”
“If it works, then the flow gets bigger, doesn't it? I haven't worked out how much bigger.”
“Good point. Me neither”
“So, we opted for more bodies pulling and dryish ground.”
“Good decision. I presume you checked for tangles and kept the rope tight.”
“Oh no, I forgot. I'd better go back down there and tell grandma to suck eggs.”
“All right Ed. You guys give it a tug and see what happens. The robots idea was excellent, by the way. We got lent two robo-snakes, with operators. They should be delivering radios, food and hot chocolate as we speak.”
“How on earth?”
“Apparently, they had the bright idea yesterday of bringing them near here to train their operators.”
“God works in mysterious ways, Angus.”
“So, you'd better see if you can pull out the plug, Ed, otherwise the military boys want to see if their snakes can place a shaped charge on it.”
“Oh what joy! You mean with those things around I might not need to get out of bed soon?”
“Ed, the day you don't get out of bed...”
“I know, you're going to gall the doctor?”
“Doctor? Ed, We're going to call the undertaker, and see if they give a discount for advanced bookings.”
“Your thoughtfulness is very touching, Angus. Stop sniggering Mick!”
“On my mark, guys, three two one pull!”
The rope had been moderately tight to stop the currents from tangling anything, so there wasn't much slack to take up. Merely some stretch in the rope. Then they were pulling seriously. They felt a small lurch and then the rope moved a bit under five centimetres.
“That was probably just the carabinas adjusting.”
“That much?”
“Nine to one ratio, Jack. That's less than a centimetre motion.”
“OK. So how deep was it?” Mick asked.
“About half a metre down the hole, so if this works then there's going to be at least four and a half metres of rope before it's in clear water.”
“So if it works four or five metres with real tension, then reducing to hardly any?” Jack asked to make sure he'd understood.
“Yes. Jack.”
“That's more information that I was expecting. Good.”
“So, heave!”
The rope moved a fraction.
“Heave!”
Another half a step back.
“Don't let it pull back, guys, or it might jam in there harder.”
“On my mark, let's try to heave and keep walking.”
“Ed, do we have any real hope of doing this?” Mick asked.
“We wouldn't if there wasn't full flow down wrinkle one, but there is, so there shouldn't be much pressure on it now. Any more questions? Then, heave, walk walk, walk!”
the tension on the rope was strong, but they'd gone a metre or more when Mick slipped on the wet rock. The other three didn't get pulled very far. “Ow!” Mick said, retaking his place. Then “Sorry. Slippery there, watch your feet.”
“Heave! Walk, walk, walk, keep going, keep going! Four metres, five, keep going but watch for the rel... ” it seemed the rope came loose in his hands as the sphere stooped being dragged down the pipe. Mick didn't fall over, mainly because his back was against the wall — he'd reached one of the turns. The others did fall, but seeing Mick still had the rope, groans turned to laughter. “Ed, I think you were looking for the word 'release' there. It was a bit sudden, wasn't it?” Jack teased.
“Only another ten metres to haul in, Jack. Keep going, while I try and put a tie off round this corner. Well done for not joining us on the floor, Mick.”
“My pleasure, Ed.”
Ed called the surface. “Angus, we think we've done it.”
“Thanks, Ed. I'll ask for confirmation.”
“You're not asking them to send that snake near the bottom hole, surely?”
“No, I'm going to do something I've never done before and ask for a miracle.”
“Careful, Angus, next you'll be admitting that God exists after all.” Ed said, silently praying it would happen. “And then you'll have to start listening to my little sister and me.” Angus ignored that comment from his brother in law and lifelong friend, and turned to Kate. “Thank you once more for coming out, Maam. My colleagues underground think they've cleared the blockage. If you could ask your contact to see if the flow's pattern has changed? We do need to know, and the alternative is asking my brother-in-law to see how badly he needs to fight the currents to stay alive. I'd rather not do that, even if it means ignoring my convictions on the subject of miracles. That map was very convincing, by the way. Thank you.”
Kate smiled “I'll warn you that I used to be an atheist before I started mixing with the miraculous. I'll ask for an update.”
[George.] Kate called as she dialed on her wrist unit [I don't know if you're in a lecture but they need need an update. I'm about to ring you.]
[I am, Karen is too.] he said as he rejected the call. [Ask Sarah?]
[OK.]
“Sorry, previous contact must be busy — call rejected. I'll try another.” She explained, and called Sarah.
“Hi, It's me.”
“Hi Kate. Have they got Teresa out yet?”
“They think they've unblocked the blockage, but apparently they can't tell if it worked yet, and therefore whether a scary current has stopped, and therefore if it's safe for people to swim down to rescue them.”
“And you're playing 'people I know?' Fair enough. How can I help?”
“Update the map?”
“Never seen it, sorry.”
[I don't know how to see currents, Kate. I thought we couldn't look for things only people.]
“Want to borrow my eyes?” Kate asked.
[I don't know how, either. George is in a lecture and so can't talk, I'm sure he can explain it though.]
'll “Yes, I do actually. Look at the map, please Kate, and think hard about what the picture is.” [I'll pretend to have a hard time seeing, but talk to him meanwhile, OK?]
[Of course!]
“Could you put the map up please so my contact can see it in my thoughts?”
Sarah asked George. [How did you see the currents?]
[Kate decided she wasn't worried about water, and saw the tunnels without the
water. So when I was drawing it I decided I was worried about water that was
moving. Three images. Compare, contrast, draw. Is that enough? This is a complicated lecture.] “Try and think about what you're seeing, Kate! I don't want to look at your shopping list, or your love life.” Sarah said, for Angus's benefit.
[I'll get you for that, Sarah. Catch! {image}]
[Only playing to the audience, Kate.] then she spoke into the phone “I think I've got it, Kate. Now I'll see what I can see.”
“She thinks she's got it.”
“I heard that. Also the rest, sorry.”
Kate raised an eyebrow. “The rest?” Was he admitting to hearing thoughts?
“She said she didn't want to hear your shopping list.”
“Oh.” [Is that all?] Kate flung the thought at him.
“No. She also said something not knowing how to see currents and about playing to the audience.”
“But I presume you didn't hear my thoughts?”
“Not without contact, no. I should have said, shouldn't I?”
“I probably should have asked, or she could have been more careful and not spoken to the whole room. So, why don't we let her talk straight to you, then you get it without me confusing anything?”
“I'd be ... honoured.”
“Is the power useful, in this work? I'd never have thought of it.”
Angus shuddered. “Not really. When you're close, then, well, you know, damp rock's not iron, but it works after a fashion.”
“I don't imagine you hear much of interest.”
“Mostly biological stuff. You know, my feet are freezing off, what's that funny smell, I hope no one notices that warm patch, that sort of thing.”
“Yuck! That's not nice at all.”
“Well, you know, cold and the sound of running water does things to people, sometimes.”
“So much for pristine mountain river water.”
“Exactly. Will it take her long?”
“No idea.”
Kate's wrist unit rang. “Hi, you might as well think straight to Angus, here. He says he doesn't mind.”
Sarah was a bit surprised, but called him. [Hello Angus.]
[Hello Maam. I must say this is odd.]
[Not as odd as cave diving.]
[I leave that to my wife's crazy brother.]
[She has the power too?]
[Yes. It's how we hit it off. I mean, she'd vowed never to even date a caver.]
[You managed to convince her otherwise?]
[A bit of both ways. I've not gone down much except for rescues since we married.]
[But you know these caves well?]
[I've got a pretty good mental map. This one really got my attention. Your friend's good.]
[I'll pass on the compliment. I think the currents have changed, if that helps.]
[Is it still going into crinkle one? That's the real danger point.]
[Crinkle one?]
[Urm, it's the one which goes from here, along here and then doubles back under here.]
Sarah peaked a bit deeper and saw which one he was thinking about.
[Oh, the overflow? It's still flowing. But there's hardly any head of water above it, and I think that's dropping quite fast. What's the level like normally?]
[About a metre of water above the bottom hole.]
[OK. Well, I'd guess that soon, maybe half an hour, crinkle one will stop being well fed, and when it does then it's going to empty very quickly, unless any fissures are feeding it. I mean, it's big compared to that orifice, and the orifice won't take very much volume while there's any back pressure, and it's got so much more volume to deal with, it's almost got to work that way.]
[That's good news, not great news, but good. So, they did it, the tunnels are emptying. I don't suppose they you know how fast it'll empty?]
[Urm, flow through an orifice? Yuck, I did study this. I think it's proportional to the pressure. No, hold on, it must be the square root of the pressure. But, in any case, if normal flow is with one metre of water pressure, then it'll be going pretty quickly to start with, faster than it filled until you're down to about four metres above the hole.]
[OK, I'll just tell everyone.]
[Bye, then.]
[Thanks for your help.]
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12:45 RESTORATION UNIVERSITY
[Albert, I've had some good conversations. Not many know much about the University Management. I got a few 'the duck was cheated' comments, but they mostly knew about you. One said that the V.C. could dither but when he was convinced then the decisions came thick and fast.]
[Thanks, Eliza. I've told him that one of the people was Dad, which got his attention, and pointed him at the press release. He's looking convinved.]
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12.50 IN THE CRINKLE
Teresa sipped her hot chocolate. Hearing, then seeing that two-metre snake thing coming through the water towards her had been terrifying for a while, until she realized that the strange glowing markings on its sides were words. “Battery compartment” would never rank high in the list of scary phrases, either. But she didn't think painting the teeth on the front was a good idea. A cartoon smiley face would have been far less panic inducing. Just it being there was good news. She thought she'd been hearing noises, like someone sending morse-code through the rock, but she didn't know enough morse to make sense out of it. The robotic snake, especially with the compartment full of goodies was lovely evidence that she might live to her wedding day. That had been a, hmm, matter of discussion with God over the past hours. No, stop lying to yourself Teresa, you were terrified, and for some reason you decided to hold Tony's feelings about the wedding over God's head, as though praying for at least that to happen was less selfish than just crying that you don't want to die. Oh God, thankyou for this drink and the chocolate and the blanket. Thank you for the radio, and that I heard Tony's up there, and Pete and Kate. Thank you that I'm not dead yet, and that I didn't try to swim out. Forgive me for being so angry, and so selfish. Thank you for Tony and my friends.
Teresa was still praying when the radio crackled to life. Angus again. “Hello, everyone. We're happy to say that the most dangerous current is now officially stopped. But there is still a lot of water moving around down there. So, unless anyone is in too bad a way, then we're going to let you decide when the water ahead of you is gone enough that you can crawl out on your own, and let us know you're coming. Don't go under water at all, because you've all got bits of deep water ahead of you. Teresa, you're going to be able to join Jan, if you like, before Jan can move. You've got about the same amount of elbow room as each other at the moment. So you can decide between yourselves if you'd prefer company or continue to enjoy your spacious accommodation. Oh, do any of you have special diets?”
“Just food!” Jan said “And Teresa, if it's OK with you, I'll keep my elbow room.”
“Fine by me.” Teresa agreed. “No special diet here, but if it's going to be steak then I'd like it medium please.” she joked.
All the others joined in, and there were two medium steaks, one medium rare and a well-done from Jan. “OK, I've got that, down. Is boiled potatoes OK, or does anyone prefer mashed? I'm afraid there's hardly any oil so we can't offer fried.”
“We were joking!” Teresa said.
“I wasn't. The doctor's in favour of the idea too, but he is sending down a multivitamin and electrolyte drink too. Think of the steak as your reward for promising to drink it all down ”
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12.57 RESTORATION UNIVERSITY
Karen's wrist unit bleeped discreetly just as the lecture finished. Something from the university. She read it, ooh, what a surprise. She was invited to an informal reception, with the university chancellor, in half an hour. Light snacks would be served. Hmm. Informal, right. She just had time to get to Sarah's house, grab something suitable and make it back. [Eliza, about this meal that I've been invited to?]
[Yes?]
[It says informal. If this was a diplomatic function, then that means any very smart dress will do, it doesn't need to be a ball gown with a tiara. Same here?]
[I'd guess so. Albert said expect to hob-nob with the top people in the university. Deans of this, professors of that, emeritus professors of the other.]
[Thought so. So, a slightly mucky cardigan and jeans isn't quite the thing to wear, then?] she asked, including George in her comment.
[Hey, I resemble that remark.] George replied, quoting someone, but he couldn't remember who.
[Not really suitable, no. Hi, George. I presume you've got an invitation too?] [Yes. I presume for me informal means only a suit, not a dinner jacket?]
[Yes.] Karen agreed. [Race you back here.]
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1.20PM
Teresa finished her multivitamin gloop as quickly as she could and exclaimed “Eee-yuck that's foul!”
“Hi Teresa, was that the vitamins?” she head Jan ask from the tunnel. “I started with the steak.”
“Yes, it was, they're vile. Nice to be able to talk, though.”
“It is. I wasn't sure which order is best, I thought the vitamins weren't that appetizing, so I'd start with the mouthwatering steak. It's excellent.”
“I hoped there wasn't going to much aftertaste to the vitamins. There is. I'm about to try a half a spoon of mustard to get rid of it.”
“Go careful, it's military issue, extra hot.”
“Too late.” Teresa said, with tears running down her face. “A drink might help.”
“Or spread the pain?”
“Maybe. Try a bite of the potato.” Jan suggested. Teresa did. Then the steak. “Hmm, this steak's good.”
“So, did the mustard clear the gloop?”
“Only in the perverse way that if you pull a scab off it stops itching. It might have worked if I'd eaten it with something.”
“I don't really fancy mustard with chocolate, and that's all I've got left.”
“Not very tempting, I agree. If I found something waterproof, I could try and float you a potato.”
“Thanks, but I think I'd have to get half into the water to reach it. Can you turn round, back there?”
“No. I thought I could maybe get into foetal position, if I got really cold, but wasn't at all sure I'd ever get straightened out again.”
“I didn't try either. What have you been doing? I've been trying to think of all the songs I know a few words of and arrange them into subject order. Pointless, but you've got to do something.”
“Praying, mostly. I dozed a bit too.”
“Praying? I never had you posted as the nun type.”
“Nun? No, but I'm a Christian.”
“So, what were you praying about?”
“Oh, the usual for this sort of situation, I guess.. Moaning at God that I don't want to die here, can't he send someone or something to get me out, or at least bring me something to warm me up. Then I spent a while telling him that I was sure he didn't want Tony to be be hurt by me dying, especially since he'd told us not to wait to marry on Valentine's day. Towards the end I was prayed that someone would tell Tony I was all right, and then since God was going to get me out, so Tony wouldn't be devastated, why didn't he do it quickly? And then I saw the snake coming and I prayed it wouldn't eat me.”
“That's quite a lot of themes.”
“I had a lot of time, and God's a good listener.”
“But what was that about telling Tony you were all right?”
“I do a lot of work for the Institute for the Human Mind, Jan. They're friends, too. One of the gifted helped me become a Christian. Tony knows them too. If they want to find out where I am they can, no problem.”
“Oh wow, I never knew you were involved there. I suppose I mustn't tell anyone about that, must I?”
“Not really. I wouldn't want to see you prosecuted under those laws, Jan.”
“And that thing about God warning you about valentine's day? What was that about? You mean you were playing with dates and then got wind of the prophesies?”
“It was a more personal and direct than that, but sort of.”
“Come of Teresa, don't be vague and mysterious, we've known each other for years!”
“OK, Jan, but this goes no further. One of the visions was experienced when I was on the phone to someone. I said we'd been thinking of valentine's day, and my friend on the other end gave a gasp and said 'Not then, don't wait until that sad day.' ”
“Wow, that does count as was more personal than a rumour. You've got a whole heap of important friends I don't know.”
“What about the most important one? Do you know Him?” Teresa asked.
“What? You're saying you know the King too?”
“No.” Teresa said, resisting the temptation to say that she'd met prince Albert, “I was talking about God.”
Jan was quiet for a while. “I thought I did. But I guess I don't, not like you.”
“Want talk about him?”
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1.30PM
George arrived at the appointed place just in time to see Karen going in. He guessed it came from practice, but he was a bit surprised. She'd managed to not just change her clothes, but she'd also managed to rearranged her hair into what looked like a totally different style. He'd been doing up his tie and shoe laces in the transport on the way here, it had been that close.
Catching up, he asked “How did you do your hair so quickly?”
“I cheated.” [Now, lets pretend we don't know anyone but our lecturers. I see Dr Holmes. Recognise anyone else?]
[Not except Bella, Eliza and Prince Albert.]
If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.
Dr Holmes saw them standing by the door, and beckoned them over. To Karen's dismay, as they started to head towards him, she recognised the man he was talking to from her first year lecture series in basic geology. “Dr Holmes, Vice chancellor.” she greeted them.
“Am I to understand that I have you to thank for his highness's presence?”
“Well, sir, the student body was growing increasingly anxious about what would happen, and when we heard, a urm, rumour this morning that the consultation amongst the officers of the university had run into difficulties, it seemed to George and I that perhaps his highness might be able to help. We didn't know that the response would be quite so rapid.”
“Very diplomatically put, young lady. You only wrote it this morning then? I'm surprised that you got quite so many co-signatories.”
“The third person I asked to sign grabbed it and got her boyfriend in the rugby club to sign just as they were returning from training, and he got the other members to sign.”
“Well, you'll no doubt be pleased to hear that the 'apparent paralysis in the leadership of the university', is over,” he said, quoting their application to Prince Albert. “His royal highness has apparently arranged to get some more information released, and was also able to share certain unpublishable information, and I'm fully convinced that the threat is fully credible. There were significant voices pouring doubt on the validity of the threat, you understand.”
“I understand, sir. My father has told me on numerous occasions, though, that while one is always allowed to disagree with ones monarch, and on occasions its acceptable to argue, it is always wisest to obey.”
“Your father has said that? Do I take it that he holds a government or civil service position?”
“You may if you wish, sir. I'm afraid that I cannot, at the moment, comment on which.”
“But you may later on?”
“George and I are getting married in the Christmas break, sir. From that point on, I can hardly hide who I am related to.”
“So, you would have been one of those whose names on their degree certificates don't match the name read out during the degree ceremony?”
“Sir, you must know that if that's a security related question I can't possibly acknowledge having any idea what you're talking about.” Karen managed to say with a totally blank face.
“Yes. I suppose that I should. No wonder you weren't afraid of writing to the crown prince. We'll probably discover during the vacation that she's prince Albert's little sister, Dr Holmes.” he said. A look of pain crossed Dr Holmes' face. “Their majesties' daughter died soon after birth, sir.”
“Oh. Yes. Sorry.” the vice chancellor apologised, and looked in embarrassment towards the Prince, who hadn't heard.
Eliza, standing closer, had heard, including the name of the man to whom the remark was addressed. She came over “Dr Holmes?”
“Yes, maam?”
“Her majesty asked me to greet you, sir. She remembers the training you gave her with fondness and respect.”
Karen realised that her mother probably knew this man too, and that it was even possible he was on the invitation list to their wedding. She'd said something about lecturers in common.
[George, you've got a memory. Is Dr Holmes on the wedding list?]
[Oh! He might be. What's his initial?]
[S. No idea what it's for.]
[Could be. There was a 'Sherlock' in quotes.]
“Her majesty was a good student, and I'm sure she would have had an excellent career in the service had she not chosen a different path. I do try to follow the careers of the best students, but of course some are easier to track than others.” he added with a chuckle “I taught investigative forensics at the academy for a few years, including her Majesty's year, vice chancellor. I'm sure you can guess what my students nick-named me.”
“Sherlock, Dr Holmes?” guessed the vice chancellor.
“A lot more flamboyant than Stephen, yes. Christmas break is getting close, Karen. Might we know the exact date, or is that shrouded in mystery too? Maam, Karen here seems to delight in refusing to confirm or deny her relationships, except to George, here, and I'm not sure I've ever heard his surname.”
“Well, Dr Holmes, I think everyone is allowed a little secrecy. And speaking as someone granted access to certain privileged information, I can well imagine they don't want to face the full glare of publicity.”
“It is no great secret what my relatives are famous for, sir.” George said, “My surname is Kray.”
“As in...?” Dr Holmes said.
“Yes.” Karen said. “Quite a number of George's relatives will not be joining us at our wedding service.”
“I'm not sure you can stop people going to a service. The reception, yes, but not the service.” the vice chancellor said, not getting it.
“Sir, to attend a wedding one normally needs to have freedom of movement.” George pointed out. “My foster parents will be attending, but I don't have such fond memories of my natural family that we've sought day-release for any of them, and it would probably have been refused anyway.”
“Oh!” the vice chancellor said, finally getting the point.
“As for the date, sirs, we've booked the 23rd of December.” Karen supplied.
Dr Holmes looked at Karen's face, and the way she'd arranged her hair. Karen remembered that when her mother had taught it to her she'd said it was something she dug up when she was a student. One clue too many. “Well, well, well. Maybe I should be retiring! I should have realised! And all the evidence before me! Do greet your parents for me, Karen.”
“I will, Dr Holmes, but I'm sure you can do so in yourself, in December.”
“What's this, Dr? You do know who this young lady is, after all?”
“Yes sir, I realise that I do.” Dr Holmes admitted with a chortle “I'm even going to their wedding. But she's perfectly right, it would be entirely incorrect to discuss anyone who might be there from her side.”
“And you presumably know, as well, Maam?”
“Sir, as Dr Holmes has far more experience in these matters, I wouldn't dare to comment. But do I understand you have certain expertise which could help the science ministry?”
“My expertise?” The change of subject threw the vice chancellor.
“I understand that where for me the field of non-destructive testing of rocks and concretes is pretty much a closed book, you are the person who wrote the book in the first place.”
“Urm, yes, well, one of them.”
“The science ministry would, urm, sorry, I need to quote exactly.” she pulled up the message on her wrist unit and opened the screen to full size. “They'd like to know 'if the blast resistance of new wing of the institute can be established, in an entirely non-destructively manner. This would include determination of the appropriate moduli, the consistency of the mineral composition, the location, size and quantity of all the reinforcement bars and ties.' Oh, and I need to add that the walls incorporate radiation shielding, a high quality Faraday cage, and are a metre thick.”
“Well... None of that sounds too tricky, except the mineral composition. Could you expand?”
“My guess is they want to know if the builders didn't put in as much cement as they should have, or used the wrong sand, or something.”
“Oh. Yes, I see. The radiation shielding is on both sides?”
“No, just on the inner side, as far as I know.”
“Hmm. Well, with a variety of techniques, and the right tools, and sufficient
time. I presume there is a time scale for this?”
“As soon as possible, preferably within a week.”
“That seems rather more hurried than is possible for reliable results. It matters?”
“The way it was explained to me is they know how much energy the asteroid ought
to have. If they can get a handle on how strong the blast is at the institute, they can start drawing maps of where the impact might be centered, and then get maps of where safe is. “There are three possible evacuation sites, sir, assuming that partcular part of the building was built exactly as strong as it should have been. If it's significantly stronger, then so much the better, unless it means the blast wave is too strong for the model. But if is significantly understrength, then there's only one, or possibly none with easy transport connections. The lane position grid used by the driverless transports doesn't extend very far outside the city, after all, but that'd be the best and safest way of getting people to the evacuation site. I'm sure you know how much further apart they have to get when they're only relying on internal sensors. Efficiency decreases, and so on. If they have no details, then they'll just have to pick a number that coincides with houses being flattened. Apparently that pushes the distance up a long way.”
“I would have thought getting people away from the impact flash would too, maam.”
“I'm sorry, if I sounded like any kind of expert, that's because I'm just repeating what I've been told, a lot of times. Could you explain that to me?”
“Well, I'm sure the minsistry scientists have considered it, but only part of the energy is going to be released as a shock-wave. Some will be light and heat. You'd want to make sure that people are far enough away that the light doesn't blind them or the heat burn them.”
“Thank you.” Eliza said “I'll make a note of that. I wonder if they have considered it, actually. I haven't heard anything from them about people risking being blinded.”
“It probably depends on how high the meteorite explodes.”
“Now that reminds me.” Eliza said “One piece of evidence which led the committee to conclude that it was a Tungusga type event rather than a nuclear device was that there weren't any scorch marks on buildings. But buildings look at the sun all day long, but people shouldn't.”
“Very well put, Maam, very well put.”
“Excuse me, I think I must talk to Albert about this.” She tried to attract Albert's attention.
“Of course, Maam. You don't think the ministry scientists will have considered it?”
“Perhaps they have and they're genuinely not worried, but I don't remember anything in the reports I've been reading. Excuse me, I'll go and ask Albert.”
She crossed the room to his side and asked. “Albert, can I interrupt?”
“Of course, Eliza. Did I see you talking to the vice chancellor?”
“Yes, and he raised the issue of a flash from the meteor possibly blinding people. I suspect, from some of their reports, the ministry scientists are a little out of their areas of expertise, but not so far that they'd think they need to call in an expert. I haven't read anything about a flash, so maybe they haven't considered it.”
“Nor have I. So, we need to ask them, and of course the good professor here. Eliza, let me introduce you to Professor Hope, emeritus professor of space physics. Professor, could you restore our faith in the ministry scientists? Is there a risk of the flash blinding you if you're too close?”
“I'm afraid it's a little out of my field. But there will certainly be an ionisation trail, just like with meteors, which is going to be bright enough to get people's attention. Then, assuming it breaks up, yes, yes, you're going to get quite a flash. Not quite on the pure deathray-scale of a nuclear explosion, of course. But there's going to be a lot of hot stuff up there. Probably brighter than the sun. It would depend on how much of the sky it covers for you, probably. I really don't know what the safe range would be, sorry. I suppose I could come up with a distance, but I wouldn't want to bet anyone's eyesight on it.”
“Thank you for your caution, professor. Do you think you could suggest someone who we should be contacting?”
“Oh, that spaceguard chappie, what's his name, Brown? No, Green, Dr Green, I'm sure he could make some better guesses. You're sure it's going to hit then?”
“Not a hundred percent, no. We know two people who had waking visions, over the past year, and a third person had a series of dreams when a teenager. Both visions showed the city destroyed, as did most of the dreams. But one dream showed people going home.”
“And you're sure this isn't just some publicity seeking stunt?” The professor asked.
“Quite sure. None of the people concerned have sought publicity. The gutter press are screaming for them to, offering big rewards, but they're not interested.”
“The government's keeping them quiet then? Paying them hush money?”
“No, professor. Actually, they're just not interested in having more press attention, or getting their pictures in the paper.” Albert said.
“How remarkable. I thought everyone wanted their fifteen minutes of fame.” the professor protested.
“Ah, but maybe these people have had it already professor, and now they want to get on with life. Or maybe they see that being plastered all over the news channels would ruin their careers, or their professional standing.” Eliza pointed out.
“Oh, yes, I suppose being famous isn't to everyone's liking. But you've chosen that life, my dear.”
“I actually feel I've had it thrust upon me, professor. I was caught up in an international crime by no fault of my own, got put into witness protection and then instead of a nice quiet day writing a paper at a safe-house I found myself being whisked off to the palace.”
“But you didn't need to accept his highness's proposal, did you?”
“Hmm. I don't really know. Bella, what do you think? Could I have refused?”
“I think, since I've known you, you've never once declined a challenge because just because it's not in your plans or outside your comfort zone or brings an enormous commitment. You see your duty and just get on and do it, and encourage others to do the same.”
“Oh, so which one was the prince? Duty, or challenge?” laughed the elderly professor. Eliza blushed a little, wondering how to answer, but Albert saved her from having to, saying “I think we have a duty to go and start enjoying the excellent meal.”
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2.15PM, TUESDAY 5TH DECEMBER
“Your Highness, honoured guests, respected senior members of our university,” the vice chancellor started as the dessert was being cleared away “We need to decide what to do about next term. Additional information has today been published which adds credence to the account, and has been available to the government since the beginning. Our Chancellor has given me further information on the sources of this information. This is not a publicity stunt gone too far, it is a serious and credible threat. There is no guarantee that any building on campus will withstand the impact, and subject to further structural analysis, I must include in that statement the old reactor building. We must, for public safety's sake consider the accelerated decommissioning of that facility, and relocation of the neutron source. Obviously, that is not a spectator friendly activity, and it would be best done outside term time.
“Data should already be backed up off-site in line with university policies, but staff should verify this is so. We would hope to move data storage, but priority will need to be given to the library's physical archive, and to any unique apparatus and samples. The data centre and its infrastructure is obviously important to the university's functioning, but we should assume we may not be functioning for several years. We also need to balance the risks of not moving the centre with the possibility that the impact does not occur. If the data center and associated equipment remains, then we could reopen quickly, at least for some courses. If it is dismantled, then we would, I believe, struggle to verify the correct functioning of all the systems in time for next September. I propose that we obtain quotes with a view to protecting the data centre from the impact, rather than move it. Such protection may not be fully effective, of course, which is why I am not proposing it for the neutron source.
“I do not believe that we should assume we can reopen, or that we should try to force a particular solution on all students. There is a mechanism, we know for the lower year students to transfer to another institution, and if the impact occurs that would be the obvious choice for most of them. However, as we all know, that's not a realistic option for the final year students. For students of law, we do not have the same flexibility as for other subjects, as the exams are set and sat externally. Those students will be given self-directed study and will sit their exams in the capital as normal. I am convinced that the university's final exams will need to occur in January, and propose that we should confer degrees before Valentines day. This has precedence in the history of academia, and it avoids the risk of our database being destroyed by the impact. Obviously, there will be topics not studied, and these should be made available to students before the end of this shortened year. I propose that intermediate exams be held at the normal time, should no impact occur, and if it does, then whenever it is possible to resume, if that be before the next academic year begins. Do I hear any voices in opposition?”
One professor raised his voice “What about those subjects examined on a dissertation? Most students have not even chosen their topics yet, let alone begun their research.”
“I leave the exact formulation of the marking scheme to the faculties and departments concerned.” the vice chancellor stated. “Obviously students will need to be informed quickly what is expected of them. Perhaps the dissertation itself could be skipped and the students required to submit their research notes, tentative conclusions and lines of further study, I understand that this is an assessed requirement already in some subjects.”
“There is not a hundred percent correlation between making good plans and carrying them out.”
“But I expect there is a good correlation between poor research techniques and poor results. We could of course offer those students who feel that a good dissertation is critical for their employment opportunities to have it marked after the impact, and I suppose that in exceptional circumstances this might be reflected in an amendment on their certificate.”
“You suggest their degree grade could be raised after it has been conferred?” asked another professor, outraged.
“I think I propose that an accolade such as 'Cum Laude' could be added to any grade, in this exceptional case, and we would indicate that while the degree grade cannot by law and custom be raised, had the year been normal and their excellent dissertation been taken into account, then they would have attained a higher grade of degree.”
Murmurs of 'very just' went round the room.
“This is wonderful news for humanities students, but what of students in the sciences? Their research project is just as important, but not as portable as a pile of notes. Some students have already begun projects that will not begin to produce results in this timescale.”
“Professor, the fact that the government has requested a total evacuation of the city should not have come as a surprise, it was announced some time ago. It is unfortunate that the staff guiding the students did not foresee any possibility of this premature end to the year and suggest a shorter project. However, I'm sure that the quality of their understanding and of their research method must be assessable somehow. Surely you of all people are not expecting the students to be graded on the results they obtain?”
There was a ripple of muted laughter.
[What's that about?] Eliza asked Karen and George.
[University rumour says the professor's incredibly complex PhD research apparatus took him four years to design, build and setup. But, depending on the version it either got struck by lightning or sank or washed away by a flash flood on the day it was due to give him the first results. Or possibly all three.] George replied.
[I heard another version,] Karen added [that a police car crashed into it, and that while he was trying to sort out the paperwork, a bailiff came because he hadn't paid his rent, repossessed it, and sold the whole lot for scrap metal.]
[Ouch. That last half has a certain ring of credibility.] Eliza replied.
[So does the one that he broke it himself in a fit of rage when it gave rubbish results and he realised there was a fundamental design error. But the rumours agree that he got no data, and I guess that bit's true.] George concluded.
“So, do I hear any further objections or questions?” the vice chancellor asked.
No one spoke. “Then, I shall announce this decision to the student body this afternoon. Our students have been on edge long enough.”
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2.30, UNDERGROUND
“Teresa, I've been edging forwards to watch the water. It's going down pretty fast now — a centimetre or two a minute. It's not gone, but I can see the other side of the dip now. I'm pretty sure there's headroom all the way, And I want to see sky!”
“That's great Pam, me too, but check with Angus that there's no more surprises. You don't want to get soaked and then find there's another dip after that one still full of water.”
“Good point,” Jan agreed. She called Angus on the low frequency radio. “Angus, Pam here, are you there?”
“Hello Pam, how's the water level?”
“Going down. There's headroom above it to the other side. Is this the lowest point just in front of me?”
“It is, but you've still got quite a crawl on the other side — there's some tight spots so it's probably a good half hour. Plus your muscles aren't exactly warmed up. I know you don't want to be dragged out by your hair because you've got cramp. Wait till the water's gone, please.”
“Spoilsport. I want to see sky.”
“You'll see it sooner if you don't get soaked. Oh, those radios are only splash proof, too.”
“Oh all right, I'll wait.”
“Thank you. Oh, by the way, there are some other dips, and yours might drain faster than the other ones, even if yours is the lowest, so no guarantees you're clear once you're past that one. All we know is they do drain eventually.”
“Oh great.”
“Think of it as useful mapping exercise if you like. It'd be useful to know.”
“That is Jack's love, not mine, but OK, I'll moan if there's anywhere I have to stop.”
“Thanks, Take care down there.”
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2.45PM
Dr Holmes approached as Karen and George were talking with Albert and Eliza. “May I congratulate your highness on the speedy resolution of the problem.”
“I think, Doctor, that the congratulations really belong to the members of the committee who were able to bring that data into a publishable state so quickly. I will be thanking them as soon as I can. The vice-chancellor got the point very quickly.”
“I did momentarily find myself wondering how two students came to be aware of unpublished data from a secretive committee report, but having known Karen's mother at a similar age, I cannot really say I am surprised.” Albert raised an eyebrow.
“I believe I gave Dr Holmes one clue too many when I arranged my hair like this, your highness. Mother taught it to me as a fast way to an elegant hairstyle, but I'd forgotten she said she'd rediscovered it just before going to the academy. Plus, of course he is on the invitation list to our wedding.”
“That hairstyle was very much her trademark.” reminisced the doctor. “I will not, of course, disclose her maiden name.”
“I see you are living up to your reputation Doctor.” Eliza said. “But I'm sure you will realise that other aspects of the wedding will make some relationships perfectly clear.”
“Not to mention her role in certain press reports, yes. You clearly had a busy summer, Karen. I see what you meant about not being able to stay low profile for long. Enjoy it while it lasts.”
“Thank you, Doctor.”
“Your Highness, Maam, I'm afraid I must go and prepare for my next lecture.”
After he'd left, George groaned. “You realise what the short year means for us, Karen?”
“Not in much detail.”
“If finals are going to be in January, then our honeymoon is going to need to include revision.”
Karen groaned. “That was not part of the plan. What's the point of travelling to far away beauty spots if we need to spend our days studying?”
“Not to mention sitting finals while getting over jet-lag isn't my idea of fun. We haven't finally booked yet, cancel and go to plan B?”
“Plan C, rather.” Karen said.
“You think so?”
“Yes. Fetching wood and water will keep us sane, and we get lots of peace and quiet.”
“Can I ask what these plans are?” Eliza asked.
“Plan A was to play tourist somewhere exotic, like most people do. It was looking like more than we could afford so we came up with plan B, which was a hotel in some hills, with opportunities for walking or various tourist things nearby if we wanted.” Karen explained.
“Plan C is a rustic cabin in the mountains.
Almost off grid — just enough electricity for a small light and for charging wrist units. Seasoned timber from the local sustainable coppice for heating and cooking, pull up your own water from the well, and there's a filter to put it through just in case.”
“Sounds isolated.” Eliza said.
“Quiet, tranquil, and since there's literally nowhere to spend money once you're there, it's fairly cheap too,” Karen esaided “We'd thought we could go for nice long walks in the snow before warming up beside the wood burning stove, but maybe something more like revision in the morning and short walks in the afternoon? What do you think, George?”
“I'm beginning to think it should have been plan A from the beginning.” George agreed, looking forward to having no distractions from revision except Karen. “It also means that we're not likely to accidentally gather a following of reporters, well-wishers and other unwelcome attention.”
“So, romantic, rustic revision paradise it is.” Karen agreed. Albert asked something he'd been wondering about. “How do you get there if it's so inaccessible? And what about food, or accidents?”
“There are a number of the cabins, none less than a kilometre apart. We takefood, and there's all terrain vehicles at the office, one to ten kilometres away, which take us up there, and we can call on in emergencies.” George said.
“Sounds good.”
“I hope they've not booked up. Shall we go and book it, Karen?”
“Yes, if you'll excuse us?” Karen asked Albert and Eliza.
“Of course!” Albert said.
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After they'd left the room they still had a little time before the vicechancellor's talk,
Albert asked Eliza, “What do you think? Should we follow in George and Karen's footsteps for our little get-away before judgement day?”
“I believe, dearest Albert, that I've left the honeymoon arrangements entirely in your hands. All I ask is that we do genuinely get some privacy. But having saidthat, it does sound quite a tempting place. I don't know what Bella and Nigel's thoughts would be though.”
“Nor do I.” Bella said.
“I think we'd have to check up on it quite thoroughly.” Nigel said, “Maybe we should even stay there for a weekend.” he mused.
“Nigel, I'm not really interested in going out with you, sorry, let alone taking a romantic trip to a secluded cabin!” Bella protested.
“Not just you and me, Bella!” Nigel said, burning red, “I was thinking more of a group of us. Look at it from all angles. Maybe my brother, he's in Analysis. Fido would love it.”
“Your brother's called Fido?” Bella asked.
“No, Trevor. Fido's his dog. What did you think he was, Maam? I can never remember.”
“Golden retriever from your description. Apparently Nigel looks after Fido while his brother and some friends go hanging off mountains by their finger tips, Bella.” Eliza said.
“I see. So you have a brother who has a nice safe job, a big friendly ball of fur, and a death-wish. Who else were you thinking of inviting?”
“I don't know. I guess it shouldn't be all my contacts. And it should be someone who's good a judging people. I'm sure the staff are the biggest risk.”
“Pris?” suggested Eliza, thinking that Pris had looked like she needed a break last time she'd met her.
“She might not like the idea of being somewhere cold. But yes, she's good at that side of things.”
“We can ask.” Albert said. “I think it'll be an expenses-paid trip but on your own time, by the way. I seriously doubt you'll be doing that much investigation.”
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3.05PM, CRINKLE THREE
“It's gone, Teresa!” Pam said, in glee, and radioed, “Angus, we're on our way. I've just watched the last half centimetre go down the crack.”
“Happy crawling. I don't know if you heard, the others are getting near to being ready to move, too.”
“So, who do you expect to get out first?”
“If it's dry all the way, you two.” Angus replied.
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3.30PM
All the students had been notified that there would be an extraordinary announcement outside the library, and a public address system usually used for student fun days had the dust blown off it and was set up without the normal attention to detail. There just wasn't time.
So when Albert stood up to address the gathering crowd the technicians were still adjusting the settings. “Students and staff of this University, while all the loudspeakers are being fiddled with and maybe even as the echo is tweaked away, I would like to thank those of you who voted for me in favour of the duck. Honestly, I doubt the duck would have been able to help much with the issue that I was called here to address. Normally the role of chancellor is only honorary, but it has a certain authority, and one aspect of that is that the vicechancellor has to listen to me.” as with the duck reference, was little brief laughter. “I was asked to interevene because of a situation which arose because the university authorities didn't have enough information to implement the drastic plans that they knew needed to be made. They needed to be sure that the threat was credible, and I believe they are now fully convinced of this.”
“The real thanks today go to the students who raised this issue with me, and the members of the committee on major threat assessment who have worked very hard, without financial or other gain, to obtain, assess, and now publish the technical information that formed the basis for a briefing at the palace just ten days ago. But, I also want to thank the vicechancellor who clearly had no intention of closing his ears to me, and for making a number of difficult decisions this afternoon. I will hand over to him now.”
There was a stunned silence when the vice chancellor effectively announced the closure of the university in two weeks time, and rattled off the bullet points from his notes.
“There will be no lectures next term, as the staff concentrate on packing up everything and then marking the final year students' exams. Since law students are not examined here anyway, they will continue to study, and have access to staff remotely. The university will reopen early after Christmas, on the eighth, for students who need to consult staff, and final exams will begin on the fifteenth. The university graduation ceremony will be on the tenth of February. Course fees will be returned for those students who transfer to another institution or who sadly decide they will not be able to complete the studies they'd started. Alternatively, students can defer until the university reopens. This might be a month or years, we do not know. Deferring students will be rewarded for their faithfulness to the university with a guaranteed 10 percent reduction in their fees for all remaining years they study, including into postgraduate courses, and their fees will be based on the whichever is cheaper, the current fee structure or that which we implement after the impact.” There was a ripple of conversation on that — deferring for a year or two could end up saving a large sum of money.
“There will be a number of short-term job openings to students who have an exemplary record, in helping to box and move the library's physical books and other archives. There will be similar openings in the science departments. Preference will, in all instances be given to students of the relevant science, to avoid costly or dangerous mistakes due to unfamiliarity with the apparatus. Final year students are expected to need the time to concentrate on their studies, but may seek approval from their tutors to apply in certain circumstances. Those circumstances will include financial hardship as well as convincing proof that working for the university is not going to hurt your grades.” He then laid out the special regulations for after-graduation submission of dissertations and any research projects not rendered impossible by the closure.
“If there are research projects that have been rendered impossible by the closure, which the student feels must be completed for their career path, then arrangements will be made for facilities at another institution, though there may be some additional costs to the student. Final year students will have complete access to the lost term's course materials until graduation, and may take copies of lecture notes for future study as needed. In recognition of the staff time saved by those who do not feel that their chosen career paths need them to complete dissertations or research projects, those students will be entitled to reimbursement of one sixth of the year's course fees.”
“That is all for now from me, the university news page will, of course, be kept up to date. I suspect that many of you will want to communicate this to your parents, and I won't keep you. No decisions are needed immediately, except that I recommend final year students start to think of how they will revise for exams starting in a little over six weeks' time.”
A significant portion of the crowd groaned at that thought.
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3.45PM
“Tony, I've made a vow. “Tereza said.
“What, my love?” He said into her hair; neither felt like letting go of the other.
“I'm not going caving without you. If we do go, we're not going anywhere we could get separated.”
“You vowed that to God?”
“Yes. I mean it. Let's go bird watching instead. It was scary down there. Jim's dead. It's not worth that, Tony.”
“OK. What actually happened?”
“You've seen the map? We had that laser ball there to make a better map of the place. We went down crinkle one. There are a lot of places where it twists and turns, and it's slippery, but mostly its was walking. There's a drop into the cavern at the bottom, so it's one way only. It's not so far, and you land in about a metre of water. All part of the route. Down crinkle one, splash, into the pool, then up three or four, total time about three hours. So, we did that, a fairly easy trip down, and we were wading past the bottom hole — where the river goes away. The plan had been to walk as far as we could towards where the river enters the cavern, and get the ball to scan that tunnel as much as it could, maybe even find the entrance to crinkle two, — it's all flooded there - and then make our way out of the system by one of the two other ways. We were all staying near the edge, well away from the currents. Jim was carrying the ball. Then Jack slipped. Jim dropped the ball to catch him, I mean, the ball' waterproof, and he didn't want Jack to hit his head, so why not? But while Jack was getting back on his feet, the ball got caught in the current. It was on a rope, so Jack just pulled. Only he pulled at the wrong time. It had been going round the hole, you see, and he pulled it right across the mouth, and it went down. We spent, I don't know, five or ten minutes trying to pull it out, with the water rising to our chests, and then the rope broke, and we gave up. We got to the crinkles and split up, Jan and I took crinkle three, and the others crinkle four. Theirs was the bigger one, mostly, but has more hard bits. It was a race against the water, since we knew that crinkle one with water in it is deadly, and that we had to go along one to get out. But we also knew that there were bits of both tunnels that were higher than crinkle one, so there were places we wouldn't be likely to drown. But we weren't really sure which way was fastest, or which rise was above the water line.
"So, while we were going as fast as we could, up and down, up and down, Jan and I were also working out how much we'd gone up and down at each high point. We were just deciding we'd got high enough, maybe, when water started gushing into the dips through the fissures. Race over, we'd lost; we were pretty sure that One would be useless by the time we got there, so we stopped. Then the water kept rising and we we got cut off from one another. And we hoped that we were in the right place to be rescued, and not drowned. I did a lot of praying.”
“I'm glad you're safe. I don't want to lose you.”
“Me too. I don't want to lose you or be lost to you. So, let's do bird-watching.”
“The doctors want to check up on you, love.”
“They can wait. I need more hugs.”
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