27. THE DEFENSE PROGRAM

Mower was so overwhelmed at obtaining a seat at the high table that he failed to observe the departure of Kai Diamonde.

‘Welcome to our world, Glen Mower,’ Professor Delphi announced, nodding or smiling to the other seven men and women at the table. ‘You’ve probably only seen operations like this before from the safety of a cinema seat. But, this is the real deal.’

‘Well I don’t…’ Glen responded before being deleted like an outtake and left on the cutting room floor.

‘In due course you’ll discover what you are doing here,’ Delphi went on, ‘but in the meanwhile you can get a feel for our organisation by feasting at our table.’

Pamela Auora, a woman of about forty was introduced to the meeting as the Head of Civil Defense. She stood up which accentuated her drab though proficient grey uniform with a yellow badge.

‘I’d like to inform the War Council about the precautions we have taken to prepare for the possibility that Newton might be letting us down with a large bang on the gravity, biz,’ she said in a very gentile and posh English accent.

‘We are all ears,’ Professor Delphi encouraged her with a warm smile.

‘We’ve contacted weightwatchers and advised them that it might be an idea to concentrate upon the observance of something else instead and also been in touch with the organisers of the next Olympics to advise them that they might not require a landing pit for the Long Jump.’

‘Goddam it,’ General Colman P Wilington III hollered, rising to his feet and smashing his granite fist simultaneously against the table. ‘Just launch the goddam holograms and to Hell with all this anal play.’

‘We are conscious of your views, Colonel,’ Professor Delphi declared, ‘now Pamela pray continue with your report on precautionary measures.’

‘I have contacted an English football club,’ she continued.

‘Soccer!’ interrupted the General.

‘No, that will not be appropriate,’ the Professor was quick to reestablish control as he admonished his colleague. ‘We do not resort to acts of violence around this table.’

‘I have informed Halifax Town FC that it might prove beneficial in the near future to position their ball boys outside the stadium as well as inside it. Maybe some a good half a mile down the road. But in response, they said that they had reluctantly had to do that anyway since purchasing their new striker, Todd Berrings, from Doncaster Rovers six weeks ago.’

‘All well and good,’ Professor Delphi declared. ‘Now, young Mower, I dare say you would like to know why you were selected to save the world.’