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[From Brad Gregg’s and Jim Collins’ notes and recordings. RBB]
‘Ready to depart, sir,’ said Captain Wooller.
‘Thank you, soldier. We’ll be out shortly,’ said the general. ‘Send Sergeant Potter in to me.’
The captain disappeared back through the house and a moment or two later the sergeant arrived.
‘Linda, I’ve just used this phone to call the congressman’s home and office. I want it left switched on. It has a new fully charged battery. I’d like you to take it and find a truck which is heading down the Keys. Try interstate rest areas. Tape the phone to it and wait to ensure it leaves southwards. Then head to rendezvous four. Understood?’
‘Yes, sir,’ the sergeant said, taking the phone.
‘If you’re pursued before you find a truck, do what you think best. Any truck is better than no truck.’
‘I understand, sir.’
‘Good luck. Go. Now!’
‘Yes, sir,’ she said and left the house at the double.
General Beech called up the stairs, ‘We’re leaving. Now! Right now!’
Charles, Jim, Brad and Bob made their way out to the Atlantic Jet Ski Adventures minivan. As soon as they were on board, it pulled out of the turning area and headed down the driveway. They turned right towards Jacksonville. Two miles later they passed a convoy of army vehicles travelling the opposite way. Their driver studiously obeyed all speed limits and road signs. Now was not the time to be pulled over by a traffic cop.
««o»»
[From White House tapes. RBB]
Squads of painters were all over the White House and its outbuildings, returning the property to its traditional colour. Now preposterously emerald-coloured, Eleanor Roosevelt’s historic rose bushes were being pruned, or grubbed out of the flowerbeds. Many would have to be replaced. The soil was also turned over to hide the dye. Only the grass did not need attention. Jet washers, using abrasive liquids were working hard to return paving slabs and concrete to their original greys, while gravel on other pathways was being scooped up by mini-excavators and replaced with pristine material arriving in a convoy of trucks.
President Slimbridge looked through the windows of the residence at the feverish activity. His junior assistant knocked on the door and entered, ‘It’s General Delve, sir.’
‘Right,’ he barked in reply.
‘Good news, sir,’ said the general as he entered.
‘About time, Winston. What is it?’
‘We’re on to them. They’re in a mansion on the Florida coast, just south of Jacksonville. I have a battalion heading their way right now and Marines leaving for a helicopter approach to coincide with our arrival.’
‘You really think it is Beech?’
‘Pretty certain, sir, and Mayne too.’
‘Thank you, General. Keep me posted.’
The president turned back to the window as another trailer load of rose bushes in full flower passed across the scene. How dare the terrorists do this to the White House?
««o»»
[Taken from Paula Wilson’s minutes. RBB]
The secretary general, Caroline Stoddart, the British UN representative, and Paula Wilson entered the hall and were astounded by its grandeur.
‘I’ve never seen it empty,’ said Caroline.
‘Magnificent,’ said Lara. ‘I’ve seen television programmes of concerts held here, but never actually been inside.’
‘It was Queen Victoria’s statement of love for her late husband, Albert,’ said Paula.
‘And that was him in the monument we saw outside?’
‘Yes, ma’am.’
‘You’re sure it is available on that list of dates, Caroline?’ asked Lara.
‘Yes, Madam Secretary. The General Assembly will be thrilled to have such a major event staged in the Royal Albert Hall. It is such a stunning venue. How have the familiarisation trips been going?’
‘Paula’s been monitoring them,’ said Lara.
‘So far, over half a million politicians, officials and ordinary citizens have taken trips to a couple of worlds, and twice that number still to go before the end of next week.’
‘What reactions are you getting?’ asked Caroline.
‘Most people are staggered by the scale of what they are seeing,’ said Paula. ‘The enormity of the space liners, the diversity of the planets. The ambassador has ensured at least one administrative hub planet has been included, which means the variety of aliens encountered has been enormous. The reaction has been overwhelmingly positive.’
‘Any adverse reactions at all?’
’Surprisingly, none. There has been some disbelief at the multifarious automatons. The ambassador built in time during the interval between visits to let people question the robots and ask about their functions, abilities and responsibilities. That went down very well with everyone,’ said Paula.
‘I think the Albert Hall is perfect, Caroline. Can you let me and Paula know the availability for the second half of next month in case we need to change dates?’ said Lara.
‘Certainly, Madam Secretary.’
««o»»
[From White House tapes. RBB]
‘No one? None of them?’ said the president, banging his fist down upon the old Resolute desk.
‘No. There were signs it had been evacuated that very morning. We could only have missed them by a matter of half an hour,’ said General Delve.
Deirdre knocked and opened the door, ‘Mr Mendoza, sir.’
‘Yes. Yes, show him in.’
David Mendoza hurried into the room. A small man, belying the power he wielded as director of the FBI. He walked around the desk and sat beside the general. ‘We’re tracking them. Someone left a burner phone switched on.’
‘How’d you know its them?’ asked the president.
‘A call was made to Mayne’s office in Pittsburgh and also to his home. As usual we then checked the number and discovered it was the same phone which made both calls. At the moment we’re assuming it was used by Charles Mayne, probably to tell his wife and office that they were about to move, but he left it switched on.’
‘Where is it?’
‘Currently it is on ninety-five heading south. We have a car in pursuit, followed by some agents playing catch-up. Can’t understand why they’d go south. Closes down options for them. It might turn out to be a decoy, of course.’
‘Okay, but how did they know we were on to them?’
‘Has to be a spy in the White House, sir,’ said General Delve.
‘Suppose so, but who? David, put a hundred agents onto it if you have to, but I want to know who leaked the plans.’
‘Yes, sir.’