A Labyrinthine Science

Prominent scientists in the remaining protected cities quickly shared his worries. There was a serious problem with Erath's orbit. They thought the shields could make up for the severe global warming they expected. For the time being, they had to find out if anything else had come as the oceans fell hundreds of feet to fill the crater between southern Chile and Canadia, and Central America was wiped out.

More was seen by Martin Wilkerson. He had done an extensive analysis already. Radiation was destined to fry them. They would be burned by the enormous solar flares and radiation waves that would result from the remaining piece of Maris colliding with the sun. He needed to alert someone.

That someone was solar flare specialist Katherine Branson. Years before, when Martin Wilkerson shared his ideas on forecasting and predicting solar flares, she had become friends with him. Others had not appreciated his work, but she had.

Three weeks after the impact, three weeks into the first phase of complete annihilation, Martin Wilkerson came up to her. After outlining his argument and going over the calculations and theories, he let her make her own judgments. He didn't trust anyone else because he was afraid the president might have his agents from the Presidential Guard silence him so the survivors wouldn't panic.

Despite Katherine Branson's innate reserve, this was too serious to overlook. Since telephones are currently the only working communication system and were the simplest to restore after an impact, she decided to get in touch with the temporary Ivory Tower. She studied the calculations, prepared her case, and asked to meet with the president.

"Hello, this is Secretary Constille. How can I assist you?

"I have to arrange a meeting with the president." I have a shaky voice. If I can't even sound confident, the secretary won't ever believe me.

I apologize, but he's currently very busy. He is currently unable to see anyone.

"No!" From where did that originate? "This is extremely urgent. I have to talk to him as soon as possible. I've never used force in any situation. Martin Wilkerson would say what?

"There is no earliest moment, as I have already stated."

This is my only remaining opportunity. I must use it with caution. "Are you willing to die? The killings in that hole in the middle of the world are just getting started. Something needs to be done to save your life, mine, and his, so I have to speak with the president. I don't care what you cancel, but please let me talk to him right away. What am I doing? What's wrong with me?

"Um." She is unsure, and her voice wavers. She's not interested in dying. "I will provide you with a time. Could you please give me your phone number?

In fact, it was successful. The president and I are meeting. I now need to figure out how to get from one shielded city to another. I'm sure someone will let me use a plane. I hope the dust won't cause too much trouble. It wasn't too horrible.

Katherine Branson went into the makeshift Ivory Tower in northern Canadia two days later. The president lived there, and that was all that mattered, even though it lacked the architectural splendor of the wreckage that was once Washington, D.C.

Guards searched her and led her through a metal detector as soon as she entered. The president himself arrived in the meeting room within ten minutes.

"Miss, I hope you agree to have this conversation recorded."

"Dr. Katherine Branson, Branson."

Yes, that is the name I was trying to find. I appreciate you coming. Shall we begin our work now?

"That would be beneficial, yes."

"And the company is." There's something edgy about this scientist. Does she always act this way, or is there something bothering her?

"Obviously, the business is that if we don't take action to stop it, Erath will be totally destroyed and everyone will be killed." Was that overly cliche? Is he going to believe me? Martin Wilkerson is depending on me to save the world, so I hope I don't ruin it all. How come he had to choose me?

"Oh, and how could this occur?" She does get to the point quickly. That's the kind of person I like. It eliminates the necessity for formalities.

"Well, it begins with Maris's second piece." The intricate chain of events that would transpire over the following four years was painstakingly described by Katherine Branson. "...and if we do nothing to stop it, the radiation will destroy all human life on Erath." I hope the presentation didn't bore him with my rambling.

Whoa, that presentation was amazing—I did understand it. "That is a really intriguing idea. Do you have any suggestions on how to counter this threat?

To keep an eye on the sun and its solar flares, I would set up a network of satellites, which would require radiation shields. In order to create a workable radiation shield that we could erect over the shielded cities, I would also call for a second Scientific Convention. The extreme heat that is approaching will burn those who are not in the cities, and there will be no point in trying to save their lives. We have to save as many as we can. From where did this originate? I never have this much confidence in anything. What set it off? Was it the threat of dying? Or another thing? Whatever it is appears to be effective.

"I'll think about everything and let you know if we move forward with this plan." I must get people on board right away because I truly like the idea.

"I'm grateful." The idea didn't sit well with him. He promised to contact me again. When a guy says he'll call, you get your hopes up even though it won't actually happen.

After consulting with his resident physicists, President James Wilton tested the accuracy of this doomsday prophecy by running the data through their computers. They verified, after many simulations, that Erath was doomed unless something was done. They demanded that Hubert Montgomery be included and suggested calling a Second Scientific Convention. They were thankful that he had been spared because his scientific genius had so far guaranteed his survival. He was the one who could bring the convention together.

A Ruskian shielded city, one of the few unaffected by pre-impact terrorism, was the chosen location. It was considered the most effective site for the meeting and one of the furthest from the crater.

The most well-known of the distinguished scientists was Hubert Montgomery. He was said to have gone insane due to his fame. Some blamed it on his advanced age—he was already 80. Others thought it was just time for someone else to take charge. The conference got off to a terrible start, regardless of the reason.