The End of an Era - a short story

8/2/2019 The End of an Era - a short story

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The End of an Era

by

Matt Phillips

Copyright 2012 by Matt PhillipsScribd Edition

All rights reserved; no part of this publication may be

reproduced or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical,

photocopying, carrier pigeon, earth-magic or otherwise, without theprior permission of the publisher.

All similarities to persons living or dead are entirely

coincidental. Get it - coincidence. You must be imagining it, or

something.

The Author asserts the moral right to a lay-in

on Sundays. Oh, and to be recognised as the author of this work

blah blah. In any case: The moral right of the author has been

asserted

Except in Antarctica this story can be distributed in any

cover you like. Without a cover even. In Antartica,

well, thats complicated. ..

Published by Gorilla Books Ltd


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The End of an Era

We must get you out of here. I told you this would not work! Temarath snarled.

No , Greylings voice was weaker than heintended. He levered himself up, blood running freely down the side of his f ace. They must be

made to understand he panted. Temarath scowled.They will never understand. You cannot lead

them this way Greyling, you never could. You think they care beyond a full belly and a warm bed? You

are a fool. Feed them well and the world can endand they would never even notice. Try to save the

world at their inconvenience and this is what youget. Temarath gestured at the crowd, a sneer on hislips.

Sir, we cannot hold them back without deadly force, stated the young security C aptain,approaching the podium.

Very well , said Temarath.


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You cannot! spat Greyling, quivering inoutrage. They must be made to understand.

The Captain looked at Temarath who slowly nodded his head. Inside the Tarasin Palace noneoutranked Greyling. Out here he was as powerlessas every individual in the mob.

Set to Terminal! barked the Captain above the

din.You cannot! Greyling repeated as Temarath

pulled him away from the steps.Fire! came the bellowed command. Cracks and

explosions echoed around the square, screams of

rage turning to pain and fear, then rebounding back to rage.

Twenty five thousand had died in Veran Squarethat day, including two thousand security. The

palace had been stormed and set alight, burning likethe funeral pyre of civilisation for six days and nights.By the time the area had been secured and fire-fighters could gain access there was nothing left tosave.

He had toured the ruins as soon as it was safe todo so. The broken columns of the great hall stoodlike broken teeth, jutting up at awkward angles fromamongst the ash and debris. He could still remember

when he had first seen the palace, many years ago.


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The sunlight gleaming from the white tiled surface was a sight to behold, the vast building almostblinding in its luminescence on a bright day. Eachtile was no bigger than his thumb nail, yet every inchof the building was covered. The complex of buildings was huge, and set at the top of the hill so asto loom impressively over the city below. All this

had been reduced to crude blocks of stone andsmouldering embers.

The hasty construction in which he now sat was afeeble shadow of the Tarasin Palace. The walls werebare concrete, both inside and out. The front had

been whitewashed in imitation of the tiled wonder of its predecessor, this one feature only serving toillustrate how different the two were. It did notgleam in the sunlight, radiating power and majesty,and it did not loom impressively on the hillside.Rather it hunkered there, squatting awkwardly abovethe city. It was a symbol intended to draw everyonetogether in these troubled times, to declare to the

world a unified purpose. A unified purpose that didnot exist.

Eighteen years ago the young scientist had cometo him. The news was so dire it could scarce bebelieved, but the young woman had been soinsistent, spoke with such conviction, that Greyling

had been swayed. He had listened as his father had


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taught him: with a healthy scepticism but an openheart. He reviewed the data and the next day ordered a National Science Inquiry Board. They took a full year to report back, so thorough was theirapproach. Their answer was unequivocal.

In his all his decades of politics he had never feltso powerless. The single hope presented an

unparalleled challenge and he had faltered. For amonth he did nothing. He had lay awake every nightsince wishing for that month back, knowing it couldhave made the difference. He had not faltered sincethough, and if all his efforts had come to naught it

was because he been unable to meet the challenge.Not for lack of trying.

He called an emergency meeting of the Leagueand shared the discovery with the leaders of the

world. They had reacted differently. Many weresceptical, most in fact. A number had become angry,accusing him of scare mongering with science fiction.

A few had looked abashed, sitting there quietly, andfor the first time he wondered how many were notsurprised by his news. Yes, he was willing to sharehis data and research. No, he had no doubts

whatsoever. A number had demanded to consult their own

scientists, which was understandable. To his

frustration another two years of inaction passed as


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study after study was undertaken. Finally, two yearsand three months after his emergency meeting theLeague passed a Dictate by twenty five votes toeight. The wording was simple and stark.

Meteor C-185 had been confirmed on a collisioncourse with Earth. At a diameter of 10 kilometresthe meteor carried the potential to destroy all life.

There was a chance, albeit a slim one, to avertdisaster. It would require the ballistic weapons of every nation, and more besides, but it was the only option presented from thousands of hours of simulations.

The door at the end of the chamber cracked openand Greylings aide peeked into the room. Theothers must have arrived. Greyling nodded,returning his attention to the report in front of him.He could well remember how quickly the fractures ininternational relations had widened into great gulfs.

To use all of their long distance weapons would leaveeach and every nation defenceless. It mattered notthat there would be no need for defence, as they

would all be in the same position. It was a level of trust that did not come naturally. He was almostaccused of a secret plot to topple every governmentin the world. And then there were the sceptics.

The eight nations, three of them powerful and

essential for any salvation plan, doubted the science


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behind his claim. How could they be so sure? Surely there was just as much chance the meteor wouldmiss. Should they not conduct more research beforecommitting to such a costly plan?

The debates had become angry and heated.You have been in this job too long Greyling, you

are old and see disaster in everything, Brekaran had

mocked.Greyling had felt the rage surge up inside of him.

He was old, he accepted this as true. It wasnt thisbarb that caused his tide of anger. How could they not see what was happening? The facts were clear,

confirmed again and again. He rose from his seat,quivering with the power of his emotions.

Is this how we meet our greatest everchallenge? His hot gaze swept the room, a few of the younger members averted their eyes from his,unable to meet the fury that burned there. Brekaranjust sneered.

We have a chance to avert disaster, but itrequires us to take immediate and decisive action, notto bicker endlessly in this hall.

At that Brekaran had laughed, his jeering cacklealmost breaking Greylings self control. He had liveda life of service and self control, but in those few moments he wanted nothing more than to stamp the

spark of life from Brekarans eyes. To rush around


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the table and beat him to death with his staff of office. He did not deserve to live, and he certainly did not deserve to lead. But there were so many likehim.

They had become too used to their way of life,too determined not to see the truth. Years of inaction dragged by and Greyling developed his own,

hopeless plan. The entire economy had been gearedto long range weapons production, maybe they alonecould produce enough to stave off disaster. Hisneighbours had reacted with extreme suspicion,taking his nation to the brink of war. Neglected

industries brought ruin to his people, food shortagesand rationing began, and riots followed shortly after.He had explained and implored, but to no avail. Therioting culminated in the destruction of the TarasinPalace but it hadnt stopped there. No, his wordscould not stop them, but when a second sun couldbe seen burning in the sky they finally understood.

By then the meteor had been renamed, from C-185 to Apocalypse. Every day the spot in the sky grew, and negotiations resumed in the new chamberof the League. But they were so slow. Such division.Such a lack of common purpose.

The door opened again and the leaders began totroop into the room, each one taking their designated

seat. Greyling did not even look up as they entered.


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Finally the door clicked shut and he raised his head. The room was silent. Brekaran, leader of the scepticnations, and one of the most powerful individuals onEarth, spoke first.

As Apocalypse draws near it shows noindications of a change in course.

Someone in the room snorted.

We therefore comply with the Dictate, andsubmit one hundred percent of our resources to thesalvation plan. Brekaran swallowed hard. Helooked scared. A ripple of murmurs ran around theroom. This was a step down beyond their

expectations.Greyling gave a deep sigh, the murmurs dying, all

eyes on him.You have my appreciation , he began, aware the

words were true, if a little hollow.The League has always stood for unity. I almost

believe its purpose was to meet the challenge we now face. He paused and looked around the roo m.Some faces he had known for decades. Others scantmonths.

It is with great sadness, therefore, that Iannounce that we have failed. Startled murmurssprang up and he raised his staff of office,demanding quiet.


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This morning Apocalypse passed the point of noreturn. My top scientists have confirmed it. To firenow would only smash it into a thousand deadlierpieces. There is nothing we can do.

The room erupted into noise as everyone spoke atonce. Panicked voices declared that it could not betrue. Greyling again held aloft the staff, his voice

regaining some of its power as he commandedsilence.

There is no question. In fourteen days Apocalypse will strike, throwing up a wall of waterand a veil of dust that will choke all life and plunge

us into perpetual darkness. Can nothing be saved? shouted a terrified

voice, he didnt see who. There is some hope. Our scientists predict some

insects will survive the decades of winter. Somemammals may too.

Brekaran snorted, his fear overcome by hisprejudice.

Mammals? Insects? What are they? Poorinheritors for the world Greyling.

Greyling did not respond immediately, insteadfixing every member of the League with his gaze.Silence fell.

It is the best we can hope for. All we can hope

for. We must prepare for the end. We have failed. I


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have failed, but there is no telling what the futureholds, beyond our death. Finally, after thirteen long centuries we are all united. United in our doom. Wemust prepare I say, for in fourteen days the age of the Dinosaurs comes to an end.

Want more? Also by Matt Phillips...

The Truth about Sharks and Pigeons

Fans of humour will love this debut novel. Its stylehas been compared to Douglas Adams and TomHolt, with just a dash of Dr Dolittle...

Its not paranoia, if they really are out to get you...

Bill Posters is an ordinary kind of guy. Hes put agreat deal of effort into it. So why does he think hesbeing stalked by pigeons? Thats not normal, is it?

As if being harassed by winged vermin isnt b adenough, Bills day is just about to get a whole lot

worse. Hes got twenty four hours to save the world. Armed with a secret weapon more suited to thebathroom than the battlefield, Bill is joined by Fern,chunky knitwear aficionado, and Gregor, Chiles second most dangerous assassin.


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Available in paperback and kindle on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0063XNVWM or search for sharks and pigeons.

Sherlock Beynon and Lady GemmasPriceless Collection

(a short story)

A comic reincarnation of the ultimate sleuth...

What do you think this fellow is about? Ienquired of the greatest deductive mind in Europe.

Beynon paused for a second, his eyes going flat inan expression of intense mental exertion that I was

well accustomed to. His hand rose up to hisimpressive mane of hair which he ruffled in athoughtful way. His Tafro suitably re-arranged he

removed the pipe from between his teeth anddeclaimed That man is a clockmaker.

Can Sherlock Beynon unravel the mystery before it'stoo late, given that too late is tomorrow?

Will his deductive powers be thrown off balance by the beautiful Lady Gemma?

And will Watson be able to convince anyone that hereally is a doctor?
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Prepare for Sherlock Beynon's first earth-shattering adventure.

Available at Amazon :http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007SUI0VQ or search for sherlock beynon.

Mnemosyne

A psychological thriller from the author that broughtus Bill Posters and Sherlock Beynon.

I remember the flash. Then nothing.

Dr Collins is an esteemed scientist on the verge of a world changing breakthrough, but after a terribleaccident can remember nothing, including who he is.

While his colleagues race against time to bring hismemories back something sinister is creeping overhis mind.

What is the presence in the darkness? What happensto him during the blackouts? And who is sending him messages, messages that seem to be in his ownhandwriting?

His quest for answers will lead him across Europe, tothe edge of madness and a stunning revelation. A
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007SUI0VQhttp://www.amazon.com/dp/B007SUI0VQhttp://www.amazon.com/dp/B007SUI0VQ


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dark secret lies at the centre of the mystery, a secretthat could cloak the world in evil.

Coming soon! connect on FB to hear when.

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The End of an Era - a short story

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