Buried
“I'm not,” Sol said quietly, “and you know that, Wes. You've looked at my research and you know what I'm proposing is possible.”
“Yes,” taking his seat again, Wes tried to control his tongue, “but that doesn't make it a good idea. Sunlight levels are still years away from being toxic to anyone unshielded, and it will at least another decade before we start having any problems with protective gear. What you're asking this council to approve is nothing short of madness!”
He had expected a measure of assent from those around him, a murmur of shared concern but instead there was only silence. Glancing around the table he saw all those assembled looking down at their notes or with their eyes closed – not one would meet his gaze.
“I represent Dr. Lightner as much as anyone in this room, but he's asking us to bury this city – encase it in a shell and blast out the ground underneath. What if that shell isn't quite impenetrable? What if we encounter something the clever doctor hasn't predicted? What then?”
Still no response came and Wes felt his spirits sink. Fear was a powerful motivator - it was the creeping terror of searing sunlight that had those of council by the throat; what Sol wanted to do was risky, but the fear of being burned alive, seared by a once life-giving orb was taking its toll.
“Your compatriots don't seem to agree, my friend,” Sol said gently. “Perhaps we should ask for one of their opinions in counterpoint to your own. Councilman Piper,” he pointed to the newest council addition, “what do you think of my plan?”
“I -” Dom Piper rose slowly, “frankly I'm not sure what to think. Two of my sisters already suffer with sun-poisoning, and I've heard of families that have lost parents and grandparents even on days when the Index is supposedly low. Something has to be done, and your plan...” he trailed off and then shot a guilty look at Wes, “might just work.”
“Thank you, Councilman. Anyone else care to speak?”
“Enough, Sol,” Wes said sharply. “Your point is well taken. Apparently I'm the only one here who doesn't think what you're asking us to do is tantamount to mass suicide, but that's why the Council was convened in the first place – different opinions lead us to better answers in the end. Or at least, that's how it's supposed to work.”
“Does that mean -” Sol's voice rose.
“Yes.” Wes cut his friend off and addressed those around him. “We will take a vote on the matter, and whatever the outcome I will not oppose it. This council must stand united in our action, even if we are divided in our opinion. All in favor?” Seven hands rose quickly. “Opposed?” He raised his own.
“Motion carried!” He announced, then stood and moved to Sol's side. “Please,” he said quietly, “don't be wrong about this.”
***
Sol Lightner wasn't quite so sure as he appeared about the plan. All calculations indicated that the force-shield constructed would prevent any harm from coming to the city as the blast charges went off and carved out a new home for it underground, and debris coming back down on the city after the explosion were also of no concern, but there was a gnawing worry in the back of his mind that he couldn't quite identify, a problem he couldn't isolate.
“Ready here, doctor,” his fresh-faced assistant said. She'd proven more capable than many of his older students and colleagues, and had a knack for ensuring things were done to perfection. “Just say the word.”
He still marveled at how quickly things had moved once Wes and the council gave their approval. Though his young friend was in opposition to the idea, he fully supported the mandate of the council and enacted their will accordingly. Within weeks all of the necessary hardware had been delivered and installed, and as of two nights ago the shield was up and running, a sparkling blue barrier that kept sunlight at bay. In five years even its shell would be penetrated by increasingly aggressive rays, but was already being heralded as a stunning achievement.
The fly of worry buzzed in Sol's mind again but he ignored it, pushed it to the side and did a final check of all the dials himself, making sure everything was within limits.
“Very well,” he said firmly. “Begin.”
Technicians across the broad room threw switches and Sol could hear generators tamping up production, knew power was being siphoned from every system in the city.
Again the fly thrummed, tickling his brain and he shooed it away – weightier matters required his attention.
Sudden clarity tore at him, sudden realization of what he'd done. Weight! There was too much weight!
“Stop!” He cried, but the moment had passed; he could hear the faint detonation of charges around the city as a crater was carved underneath it. Everything had been planned so carefully, no detail overlooked but one – once the city began to drop, encased and impenetrable, its own weight would drive it far deeper into the ground than anticipated; geological studies showed that much of what lay beneath was broken and cracked, a testament to the force of nature over time.
There was a sickening feeling of falling, followed by a substantial thump as the city slammed downward into the created gap. For a moment, Sol had hopes that he had been lucky, that what he had missed would be only a footnote in an otherwise perfect plan.
The sound of tearing rock told him otherwise; screams rose as they city began to fall.
- D
No comments:
Post a Comment