We Float Upon a Painted Sea (22 page)

After another cup of hot tea, Itaridlë took him back to the room. A camera was set up in front of the plastic chair.  Professor Burke was asked to sit and begin his tale.

“You don’t mind if Inwë records you?” said Itaridlë. After his meal the Professor was in better spirits. He said,

“No, not at all. It will be a relief to get this off my chest.”

“When you are ready Professor. First of all state your name and who you worked for.”

“My name is Earl Burke, Professor Emeritus and ex-chief scientist at the National Oceanography Centre.  During the last six years I have been employed by the MoDs to lead a project called Silent Wave. The project was originally designed to counteract tidal surges and tsunamis caused by ice shelf slips and marine hydraulic fracturing activities. After several years of research a Government agency, which I later found out to be connected with the MoDs, took over jurisdiction of Silent Wave. I would like to state, for the record, that at that stage I still had no reason to believe that they were planning to use my research as a weapon of mass destruction.”

Professor Burke withdrew a small box from his briefcase. He held his finger against a pad until he heard a beeping noise. A pressure valve on the box hissed before opening. He withdrew a microchip and handed it to Itaridlë. He cleared his throat and continued, “I received a recording of a wire tap from an old friend of mine who must remain nameless. The recording is a conversation between Myron Clone and Raymond McIntyre, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence and Surveillance.” Itaridlë nodded to the corner of the room. Lúthien came forward and took the microchip from the Professor and slotted it into the side of his notepad. The file opened and two men’s voices became audible.

McIntyre: Good day Myron, I won’t waste your time and get straight to the point. The Minister needs an update on Silent Wave.

Myron Clone: Would that be the Minister or would that be you who need an update.

McIntyre: I am the eyes and ears of the Minister, so let’s have it Myron, unless you want him to call you personally.

Myron Clone: Don’t get your pantaloons in a twist Donald.”

McIntyre: “I don’t wear pantaloons Myron, you must have me mixed up with one of your old Etonian school chums. The Minister is worried that this operation of yours is over budget and getting complicated. We believe you may also have a leak and the Russians and Chinese may have caught wind of it.”

Myron Clone: “I would dispute that Donald. I hand picked the team myself. Look, as I’ve said time and time before, most activities will be conducted underwater, therefore foreign satellites will be limited to observing surface activity only, which we will put down to fracking exploration drilling. The leader of the project team, Professor Earl Burke, has identified a general area to test the supposition: west of St Kilda which geologically ticks all the right boxes. There’s a history of shale gas drilling operations in the area, so we have good cover. The Islands already have had their fair share of military testing but with all the fracking going on in the region, it’s not unfamiliar with seismic activity.

McIntyre:  “You do know the islands have a population right? It might be low but we need to know about your evacuation strategy.

Myron Clone: “I thought it was evacuated in the 1930’s?”

McIntyre: “It was but fracking brought people back to the island. It’s been repopulated, not a sizeable presence but they still need to be moved.”

Myron Clone: “I forgot, aren’t you from that neck of the woods.”

McIntyre: “Not even close Myron.”

Myron Clone: “Are you sure there are people? I was under the impression the island was deserted a long, long time ago.”

McIntyre: “Are you fucking with me Myron? Are you purposely trying to take the piss? There are ancillary workers on the island – they need to be evacuated. Make up a reason to move them and their families.”

Myron Clone: “I was aware of a small fishing fleet operating in the area but that was all.”

McIntyre: “Well consider yourself corrected.”

Myron Clone: “We would need to find a good excuse to evacuate the island and the media will have to buy into it.”

McIntyre: “The media are preoccupied with the riots. Make up a reason but make sure no civilians are in the area.”

Myron Clone: “There might be the odd Spanish trawler looking to vacuum up what’s left of the decimated marine wildlife but if they get hit by the wave, I’ll see that as a bonus. (Myron laughs) Hypothetically at least, most of them will be out of harms way but there’s always a bit of collateral damage. That’s to be expected.”

McIntyre: “No collateral Myron. The Minister wants it clean, do you understand.”

Myron Clone: “Without collateral, how can we really assess the wave’s effectiveness?”

McIntyre: “That’s your problem. Find a way. I’ll brief the Minister but I must say Myron, he is a wee bit concerned with the work you’re doing over there.”

Myron Clone: “I just remembered what association you have with that part of the world; don’t you have a brother who works for the Royal Coast Guard in the Outer Hebrides? I’m sure he will be fine. Is that what’s bothering you Donald? Are you concerned for your sibling?”

McIntyre: “That’s not an issue for me Myron and certainly not for you. I just smooth things out for the Minister and make sure people like you don’t fuck things up and get egg on his face. By the way, does Professor Burke suspect anything? You can’t afford any slip ups.”

Myron Clone: Not a thing. You know scientists, always with their heads in a microscope, analysing the small things when the bigger picture is unravelling behind them (snorting). So have you an update for me?”

McIntyre: “You will wait for the orders to be released. The new attack submarine is ready to take up its position at the test site, tactical airlift squadrons are on standby and the
shot
will take place at 19:00hrs on the 3rd of September. Weather permitting.” The recording ended.

Inwë stepped forward and whispered in Itaridlë’s ear,

“There’s no way that conversation is a wire tap. No way. I’m pretty sure it’s an inside job.” Itaridlë gazed at the floor then raised her head to look at Inwë.

“Can you analyse the original recording and let me know.” She handed Inwë the microchip and he left the room. Itaridlë turned to Lúthien and smirked. She paced about the room, her boots scraping against the concrete floor and then she stopped and said to Professor Burke.

“You need to find out from your friend, the identity of the person who handed him the recording. That is our way in.”

“He wouldn’t say who gave him the recording and I couldn’t contact him now. I would be fearful of exposing him. I would imagine they will have him under surveillance, as they did with me, and as soon as I get in touch, he will be arrested.”

“Yes, that would be unfortunate, but we all have sacrifices to make Professor. His name would be very beneficial to our objectives.”

“I’m sorry Itaridlë. All I have to give you is the recording at this point in time. I must insist on my friend’s anonymity.”

Itaridlë stood with her hands on her hips and examined the box in her hands. Lúthien smiled and then said,

“We do have scanners that could extract the information with or without your permission, Professor Burke.” Itaridlë grabbed Lúthien’s arm and said,

“That won’t be necessary. I think the Professor has been more than helpful to our cause.” She turned to the Professor with an intense stare and said, “This is a pretty low standard of technology you are using here Professor. I take it you have the backed all this data up?” The Professor shifted in his plastic chair and said,

“The lower the standard of technology, the more secure the data in my opinion. For instance, I’ve even taken to writing with an old fashioned ink pen rather than a digital one, but yes the information is backed up.” The door opened and Inwë returned.

“As I thought, it is definitely an inside job. It’s not a wire tap; the sound wave frequencies are different. I made a copy as you requested.”

Itaridlë took the microchip from Inwë, placed it back in the box and passed it back to Professor Burke. She then turned to the two Elfs.

“There you have it my friends, we now have evidence implicating the MoDs at the highest level. There is no time to lose. Inwë, get a copy of the audio file onto our website and circulate it to our usual contacts. Lúthien, get the team together. I need them kitted up and prepped by 1800 hours. We’re shipping out.” Itaridlë turned to Professor Burke with a grim expression cast across her face.

“I know you had a ferry to catch but I would like you to stay with us for a little while longer Professor.” Professor Burke looked alarmed,

“But I need to get to St Kilda, I need to stop this madness from happening. There isn’t much time. Where do you mean to go?”

“I can’t tell you that at this stage Professor, but our business will not take us to the St Kilda just yet. We can take you as far as Ullapool, and there we will part company. Your knowledge of their activities might prove invaluable to our operation and you could brief me on everything you know during the journey.”

The Professor nodded soberly while cleaning his glasses with a handkerchief. Finally, he said,

“Yes, of course. I will travel with you, as long as I’m able to find a way to St Kilda.”

“We need to do something about your attire Professor and find you something more suitable for the North Atlantic climate,” said Itaridlë.

The Professor was escorted to Itaridlë’s makeshift office. He gasped at the sophistication of the Elves operation and noticed several Elves emptying weapons from a munitions room. He frowned,

“I wasn’t aware that your organisation was equipped with such military hardware. I knew your methods differ greatly from that of the Green Movement but violence will solve little and merely brings a backlash.” Itaridlë smiled at the Professor,

“How much change do you think is brought about by chaining yourself to an airport runway or scaling an oilrig? We originally tried seizing the moral
high ground by protesting and showed our displeasure through acts of civil disobedience, but fun as they were, those tactics tended not to work. Unfortunately, greedy corporations, corrupt politicians and the compliant media are not concerned with civil acts of disobedience. The measures we now employ are in direct response to the rape of our planet, which we have taken a vow to protect at all costs. Nothing against our friends in the GM but we believe in a more immediate response before it is too late. They have their methods and we have ours.”  The Professor looked bemused. He shuffled uncomfortably and then said,

“Sadly, I find your opinions slightly depressing and a bit misanthropic. I think we can bring about change, but not through armed struggle. You will merely alienate your group and be labelled a terrorist.” Itaridlë smiled again. She said,

“I think it’s a little late for that Professor. Some may feel comfortable being led like lambs to the slaughter, but a few of us are willing to fight back and punish those who have brought us to this point in history. I care little for the label they pin on us.”

“Who exactly will you punish? Scientists like me?”

“No Professor, I think you are a victim in this tale, misguided in my opinion perhaps, but not one of the transgressors of which there are many – oil companies, bankers, the church, certain journalists and politicians. The list goes on. The time for political pressure is over.”

“What about using the law to stop these acts of destruction?”

“I could ask the same question of you Professor Burke. Why did you seek our help and not the GM? We work outside the law. The law has always been designed to protect the property and businesses of a select few who have gained their hegemony over the rest of mankind by exploiting the weak as cheap labour, plundering the planets natural resources, polluting our environment and avoiding their tax responsibilities. In the beginning, back in California, some of our members engaged in non violent protests and some resorted to the use of pipe bombs to fight against a company that was manufacturing a defoliant called Agent Orange and a pesticide called Agent Blue, containing carcinogenetic dioxins and the toxic levels of arsenic. The U.S. Government were spraying both chemicals on the Vietnamese countryside, attempting to cause famine and desolation, all this in contravention to International Law. Our founding fathers damaged a building, killing or injuring no one, but they were all sentenced to long prison sentences regardless of their methods. Whereas, the U.S. Government claimed sovereign immunity for its actions which caused millions of birth defects and slow lingering deaths, not only to the Vietnamese people but its own military staff. That is how the law machine works Professor Burke.”

Itaridlë guided the Professor by a gymnasium and then into an office. It was mostly a bare place but one wall was adorned with maps and schematic drawings. On the desk there lay an old fashioned personal computer with a visual display unit perched on top. The Professor’s bemusement didn’t go unnoticed by Itaridlë.

“We don’t use computers like notepads or e-pens. They use technology which can be detected and interpreted by the Prophylaxis Trident spy satellite. I take it you know what I am talking about?”