The Second Coming

By Ian Proctor

The silence hung eerily like a heavy shroud that stifled all life then crushed it without thought of fear or remorse. Morani strained through the headphones to catch a fragment of conversation, but all he got was an scratchy record of Glenn Miller playing In the Mood on a transistor radio. He certainly wasnt so happy, so he pushed the stick back and headed in an easterly direction to Moscow. Major Thompson switched on the radar screen and tracked the helicopter, then shouted, Do we intercept? President Baker pointed a finger at the major and in a bitter voice, screamed, You will keep peace at all times, or you will be shot. At this point, Senator Beavers sneeringly said, What are you a man for, all the world to respect or to be a mouse that cowers in the corner, forgotten?

Or perhaps one day, someone might say who was President Baker, for he is not in any history book. Visibly shaken, his face turned to an ashen gray; he then thumped the table very hard with knuckles that were taut and white. He would not look into the senators eyes as he was the next vice president with very powerful business friends, and he was most anxious to avoid a row at all costs.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse UK
• Release date: Sep 20, 2013
• ISBN: 9781491804131

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© 2013 by Ian Proctor. All rights reserved.

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Published by AuthorHouse 08/22/2013

ISBN: 978-1-4918-0412-4 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4918-0413-1 (e)

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As President Baker gazed around the conference table at the White House on that cold and grey December morning, he decided that the atmosphere was very chilly for an atom consultation. He did not want to be involved in dropping an atom bomb on Russia but he did not know what to do in that event as he was afraid and incapable of doing anything. He was about to call the delegates to order when he was interrupted by a persistent buzzing noise directly to his left. Looking up he saw a green light flashing on the giant radar screen. At that precise moment a Major Thompson shouted, Russian helicopter directly overhead. President Baker’s tense command rang out, switch off all lights, strict silence to be observed at all times and turn off radar screen. At this command two uniformed soldiers came smartly to attention, going down the room one to each side. Turning them off and slamming the heavy brocade curtains shut.

The silence hung eerily like a heavy shroud that stifled all life then crushed it without thought of fear or remorse. Morani strained through the headphones to catch a fragment of conversation but all he got was an scratchy record of Gllenn Miller playing In The Mood on a transistor radio, He certainly wasn’t so happy so he pushed the stick back and headed In an Easterly direction to Moscow. Major Thompson switched on the radar screen and tracked the helicopter then shouted, do we intercept? President Baker pointed a finger at the Major and in a bitter voice screamed, you will keep peace at all times or you will be shot. At this point Senator Beavers sneeringly said, what are you a man for; all the world to respect or to be a mouse that cowers in the corner forgotten?"

Or perhaps one day someone might say who was President Baker, for he is not in any history book. Visibly shaken his face turned to an ashen grey he then thumped the table very hard with knuckles that were taut and white. He would not look into the Senator’s eyes as he was the next Vice President with very powerful business friends and he was most anxious to avoid a row at all costs.

Colonel Tavisstock in a kindly way tried to smooth things over by pressing a bell and ordering a coffee for everyone in the room. President Baker then brought the conference to order by standing up and addressing the delegates. Gentlemen, he spoke in a clear tone. What will we gain by dropping a bomb on Russia? Will anything be of value after we drop it? Any minerals be useable again?

The Colonel’s clear blue eyes looked steadfastly at the President. He rose to his feet a tall striking figure of a man and spoke in a cool steady voice. Mr President fellow delegates if you drop a bomb on Russia, you will not only be destroying it. You will be destroying the ‘world.’ At this point the Senator leaped to his feet shaking his fist at the Colonel, world domination, and complete surrender!"

He thumped the table until it shuddered. We must be the only complete power to rule. His eyes now coming out of his head, he screamed. Are you all cowards? If you listen to the Colonel Russia will drop one on us. Make no mistake about that, but I’m going to make sure it never happens." Before anyone could stop him he had run to a small green door in the wall and yanked it open. He then stopped at another pulling it open.

Then he paused, for inside it was a yellow button on a small panel. He raised his right index finger to press it. But before he could, a blinding flash of light struck him knocking his arm to his side and sent him reeling back with great force to strike the opposite wall with a sickening thud. He slid down it on his back to the floor very white and shaken. Two Senators then rushed into the room each lifting an arm and bringing him to his feet slowly and with great difficulty they guided him through the open doorway and back to the empty chair.

A mocking smile was on the Presidents lips, at least he won the first round. Before the meeting could continue a small British diplomat by the name of Smyth, whom you would hardly notice jumped to his feet. Waving madly, a very trusty brolly directly at the President and speaking in a small squeaky voice.

I should like to try and make the British position clear. To begin with, I do not think it is a good idea to drop an atom bomb on Russia as no one knows where this is going to end. Has anyone stopped to think of the consequences? President Baker now thoroughly disenchanted by the way the conference was going rounded on the British diplomat and angrily shouted. Sit down limey, you are noting but a ‘fifth rate nation.’ What can you contribute?

You’ve not even paid the marshal aid plan off from the Second World War. If you expect to be considered as a major power, forget it. Symth’s union jack was now as limp as the look from his face. Dejectedly he sat down with nothing more to say. As Colonel Tavisstock looked around at the sea of faces he could see that little was going to be gained from the uncertainty and mistrust in their eyes.

Turning to the President he spoke coolly. May we all adjourn and all go home as we can argue, from now until doomsday we are getting nowhere at all. President Baker rose wearily to his feet but before he could speak. Senator Beavers now fully recovered from his ordeal, sprang to his feet and stabbed an angry finger at the Colonel. I demand a mandate on this man, he is too incompetent to represent the army at this hearing. Raising his voice to a very high pitch he continued accusingly, the Colonel is a coward and a fool he wants, to walk out of this room without solving anything. The Colonel looked at him in amazement hardly daring to believe his eyes that these things were being said about him. Something inside him snapped and in ten short strides he stopped in front of him.

Grabbing his green tie with his right hand he started to pull the knot against his throat whilst he left pulled the other end tighter still. Senator Beavers face was now turning to a very mottled grey. He clawed at the Colonel’s hands but he could make no impression, his eyes were swelling to their normal size. His senses were by bow fast fading out and the room was swaying and getting darker and darker. He tried to cry out but no sound came only the silence of the room and the mounting pressure on his throat were the only things that were real to him. Soon his knees began to buckle and his head rolled forwards fast and then downwards.

Before the outraged Colonel could pull the knot any tighter two senators rushed forwards and using great force dragged him off and away from him. Losing all consciousness the Senator slumped in a heap on the floor. By now all hell was let loose as papers went soaring into the air. By now theirs was also a deafening stamping of feet followed by a lot of hissing and booing at the Colonel.

He