End of the Beginning: Chapters 24 & 25
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Chapter 24: September 5th
Bretton Woods, Room 702 7am
Jim lay awake in his bed as the light of the new day started to creep around the edges of the curtains, with Kelly splayed unconsciously across his torso. The feel and weight of her warm body against his generated a physical sense of contentment and calm within him. He looked down as her back gently rose and fell with her breath. A pang of guilt crept into his consciousness, he knew that his wife was no longer with him but emotionally it still felt like a betrayal. What if she were looking down on him now? She would want him to be happy, and this woman who was here in the living world with him certainly did that. He was alive and must take the chances that came along to be genuinely happy. This was one of those chances and he needed to leave his grief and guilt behind. He felt Kelly’s body stir and he looked down as she raised her head.
“Hi” she said in a sleepy voice.
“Hello beautiful” he replied.
Bretton Woods, Presidential Suite 8am
“Carlos, how are you?” Ashbridge asked as he reached out to shake the Brazilian President’s hand “I hear that you had an eventful discussion with my State Department representative.”
They shook hands as President Vargas replied, “doing very well and thank you for the entertaining little attack dog. She certainly needs some more education before she is allowed out without her trainer!”
Ashbridge laughed as he motioned for Vargas to have a seat “there’s nothing better than in the field training, and I was sure that you would give her a good few lessons, the way we used to with those trainees at Fort Benning.”
It was time for Vargas to laugh, “you always were a cunning son of a bitch, and yes I certainly did give her a good few lessons!”
“So, you are going to play nice at the meeting today. I really need a united front to get things done, with Brazil in the fold many other countries will get in line. As Kelly let you know, we are in very different times and any ‘oiling of the political wheels’ will have to be done with great care and secrecy. In addition, the US people must see significant domestic benefits for such huge expenditures, especially when I am asking for so many other sacrifices from them.”
Vargas looked back at Ashbridge calmly, “Mark, we may both be Presidents but we are firstly friends who need to be able to trust each other. I am sure that we can work something out and I will of course ‘play nice’ today. The extra revenues from the mining operations will greatly help in selling this to my constituents, and with a certain amount of ‘leakage’ everyone can be happy. An expansion of the permanent members of the security council would also be a great help.”
Ashbridge smiled, “definitely something that we are working on Carlos, both India and Brazil need to be there. May take a little while though, you understand all the complexities of UN politics?” he said.
“Of course” Vargas replied “as long as I can trust that you will keep the focus on that.
“Of course I will” Ashbridge committed “Now onto less official discussions. Did you hear about Bainbridge, ran his motorcycle off the road and killed himself. I suppose that’s what you get for getting on a big motorcycle late in life. None of us is getting any younger.” They nodded knowingly and introspectively at each other, transforming from two Presidents to two old friends shooting the breeze.
Bretton Woods, Presidential Suite 11:30am
“So glad that you could all make the brunch” Ashbridge commented “it’s always good to be in the company of others that share the same objectives”. The heads of state of China, Russia, Brazil, India, the European Union and the United Kingdom smiled back politely, keeping their thoughts to themselves. “With Jean representing France as well as the wider EU, we represent seven of the fifteen Security Council votes; including all of the permanent veto-power members. With Ethiopia standing to benefit so much from the proposed geo-engineering measures they are fully in support. We also have the confirmed support of Canada, New Zealand, Japan and Chile – completing an overwhelming majority of the Security Council.”
Yazov noted that Turkey was also supportive, “Turkey is also open to the proposed agreement” and Vargas confirmed the support of Bolivia.
“So that only leaves South Africa as the barrier between us and a much preferred unanimous decision of the Security Council. Xiao and I have agreed to meet jointly with the South Africans to bring them on board” summarized Ashbridge. I feel that our staffs have done an excellent job in coming to an agreement that we can all stand by. A very tough set of measures, but ones that can be seen to be fair and equitable between countries within the bounds of political do ability. Xiao, some opening comments?”
“Thankyou, Mark. It has truly been a pleasure working with all of you on these historic proposals. For the leaders of the international community to be able to come together for the good of all in such a way is an incredible achievement that we should all be correctly proud of. The actions we propose are very tough ones, and will need all of our cooperation and mutual support. We will stand as a united community or fail through discord. I look forward to our future achievements and a focus on the common good. The challenge of climate change is also an opportunity for a greater level of cooperation and peace between nations. If we do not take that opportunity the opposite will become our reality.”
Many of the other leaders nodded in resigned appreciation and acceptance of Xiao’s words; the India-Pakistan crisis had brought the reality of a possible dystopian and deranged future home to all and it hung over the room like an invisible dark cloud.
Chapter 25: September 11th (Saturday)
New York City, U.N. Building 10am
The week had been a crazy one the world over as rumours swirled around the happenings at Bretton Woods, and then coagulated around the words “drastic action on climate change”. Stock markets went berserk with huge changes in individual share prices, billions were made and billions were lost. Richardson’s hedge fund, and his close allies, had already withdrawn much of their holdings from the markets, and used their remaining funds to position themselves well for when the markets would eventually reopen. There were advantages to having funded a President, just important to hide any smoking guns. The state of emergency certainly helped, with the President’s tight control over government forces and the media.
Xiao sat in the room high up in the United Nations building, surveying a New York that was already being rebuilt. The frenzy of activity confirmed his greatest fears, with the right leadership and will the Americans could achieve anything. With Ashbridge as their leader, and the opponents to action destroyed, they would make a formidable sparring partner. His annoyance was compounded by the actions of the South African leader that were in danger of upsetting the carefully crafted agreement that he and Ashbridge had built. It was one thing to push for a better deal for his country, another to use disruptive tactics as a bargaining ploy. It was time to take action, and remind President Molefe that the stick, as well as the carrot, was a possibility. It had been agreed that Xiao would be the one to deliver the message.
The door opened and Molefe entered, to be met with little warmth from Xiao. After a perfunctory handshake, they sat down.
“Nelson, it is with great sadness that myself and my fellow leaders deemed this meeting necessary. I have greatly enjoyed working with you and your administration over the years, but your behaviour over the past few days has been very disappointing to the others as well as myself. We need you to align your government with the proposal.”
Molefe took a moment to assess the situation, was this a negotiating ploy or had he overplayed his hand? He decided to take a chance. “Then you just have to accede to my government’s request for greater levels of financial support and some leniency on the emissions reductions” he answered nonchalantly.
The look in Xiao’s eyes quickly relayed the mistake that he had made. “My American, Indian and European colleagues have agreed with me that if South Africa decides that it does not want to be part of the team then we must redirect our resources to those that will. The vote may not be unanimous, but it will be overwhelming and mandatory upon all U.N. members. Any non-compliance would be met with the full force of the Security Council. So, does South Africa want to be a part of the team or not?” stated Xiao in a tone that hardly concealed his annoyance.
It was now fully evident to Molefe that he had strayed well away from safety and needed to beat a hasty retreat. “Xiao, my friend. You cannot fault me for trying to gain the best outcome for my country. I will not allow relatively trivial differences to damage the good relations between our two countries though. Of course South Africa will be a member of the team and will vote for the proposal. I do have one favour to ask, it would go a long way within South Africa if I were able to speak prominently to the General Assembly after the vote. Such a show of respect would also help bring many of the other African nations on board as well.” Even in full retreat from a weak position Molefe could attempt to extract some concessions.
Xiao felt both annoyance and respect for this wily politician. “As long as the contents of your speech are fully agreed to by the permanent members beforehand” he proposed.
“Of course” Molefe smiled. Such is the nature of business at the United Nations, even when the survival of modern society is at stake.
New York City, U.N. Building 2pm
The representatives of the fifteen members of the Security Council sat around the huge circular table in the Council Chamber, with the world’s media looking on. Usually such meetings would be covered in the evening news after the fact, but this was a very different meeting. World history was being made, and the world’s media did not hesitate to cut into even the hallowed U.S. Sunday sports coverage once they understood the true gravity of the vote being taken. Commentators with serious expressions and measured tones replaced the usual programming, as they read out the details of the proposal about to be voted upon.
The chair of the meeting, the representative from Brazil spoke
“I ask for unanimous approval of the resolution at hand, do any members wish to vote against?” She looked around the table, taking her time to make sure that she had not missed anyone and to show the cohesion of the council to the world. “I will confirm with each member state. Canada?” she stated, and was met with the affirmative from Canada’s representative. Thirteen more agreements later she arrived at the United Kingdom representative. “The United Kingdom?” and was met with another affirmation. “I declare the resolution unanimously passed by the council” she declared. The deed was done, at last the world had agreed to the need for the drastic actions required to save humanity from the danger of catastrophic climate change.
“This is not the beginning of the end, rather just the end of the beginning” Chang said ruefully to Yazov as they watched the proceedings from the Chinese delegate’s suite high above the Security Council meeting. “You are quoting a drunken old British imperialist now, what is the world coming to?” Yazov quipped back.
Washington D.C., The White House 3pm
James Dixon sat quietly as the President read the proposed text of the speech. He felt a sense of unreality in a room that always felt smaller than he had previously imagined but at the same time evoked so many memories of power. JFK sat there with his advisors contemplating nuclear annihilation during the Cuba missile crisis stand off; Nixon plotting and railing against his opponents while the tape recorders turned; Clinton and the intern and that soiled dress; Obama, the first black President; Trump insulting yet another world leader through Twitter; Ashbridge facing down the warmongers and the financiers. His attention suddenly returned to the room as he became aware of the President looking intently at him.
“It is very easy to get lost in the history of this room”, Ashbridge stated with a look that showed that he had drifted into that space many times. James smiled back; he enjoyed working for this man. The mixture of searing intelligence and incredible drive, mediated by humility, made a change from many of the others that he had worked with.
“It’s a very good speech James, but the enormity of what we need to achieve needs more than very good. There’s not enough emotion in it, not enough about higher values and community to bring people together and act for the greater good. All of the successful religions do these things very well; think about the story of the Garden of Eden, with Adam & Eve being cast out after not respecting the directions of God. Perhaps more a story of human arrogance that rejected the rules of the one that provided such a nurturing environment. Also, the story of Moses; he endured so much to lead his people to a promised land that he himself was never to see. Religious texts are full of stories of humility, sacrifice, serving the community and something greater than the individual, making a better life for future generations. This is what needs to pervade this speech, to raise it up beyond the purely political. We must not be scared of asking for sacrifice, as long as we can tie that sacrifice to a greater good and spiritual renewal. People have a need for a greater meaning to their lives, give them such a meaning and they will even die for it. Such things cross the political and spiritual divides.” Ashbridge paused; he was suddenly deep in thought. James knew not to interrupt him.
“The speech also needs to be about us, not about some external environment that we need to preserve. We are not talking about saving the Earth; it will take a while to clean up our mess but will continue happily on its way without us. We are talking about maintaining the conditions for the survival of human civilization; that should be the focus. We must respect the Earth that supports us, or it will cast us aside. What was it that that environmentalist said ‘poking the giant?’ Yes we are insulting the Earth. It has been very patient, but its patience is wearing thin and its wrath will be upon us if we do not show it the proper respect that it deserves. Now that certainly does sound religious doesn’t it? The speech has to be about humanity learning its place, about our country being a beacon to the world through its actions, not about saving some bloody polar bears. Nobody really gives a shit about the polar bears; they give a shit about their families, their communities, having a sense of doing what is right.”
Ashbridge stopped and look plaintively at James, “I know that I am asking a lot from you, but the circumstances require it. I will need the new version by 8pm.”
What else could James say, but “You will have an updated version by eight Mr. President” as his said spun contemplating the scale of the required changes.
Updated version, more like a wholesale rewrite he thought to himself as he stood up and shook Ashbridge’s hand.
Washington D.C., The White House 6pm
For ten thousand years this Earth has provided the nurturing environment in which humanity has grown and achieved so much, but in the past decades we have taken it for granted and have treated it with arrogance. We must learn to show respect for that which nurtures us, otherwise it will cast us out into a wilderness that will take away so much of what we have achieved. The childish feelings of immortality and arrogance must be left behind as we accept the adult realization of our own limitations and the blessings of humility.
James sat back and looked at the words that he had typed on the screen. He frowned too much new age Mother Earth, needs to sound more traditional he thought to himself.
The nurturing Earth with which we were provided, yes that sounds better. Assumes a god like presence without explicitly stating it, and keeps away from the new age crap.
He sat back, pleased with himself.
In the President’s private quarters, Ashbridge was also deep in thought. He was lost in the fluid movement of his wife’s body, her back so perfectly curved down toward her firm, pert backside, and then those long slim legs. The dull pain from his ribs sought to restrain the rising desire, but the passion was stronger and breaking loose from the leash of pain. Samantha turned and their eyes met; she recognized that look, she knew it well and had missed it so much.
Her mouth opened slightly as she felt her body responding; it had been too long. Ashbridge strode toward her and his strong arms engulfed her body, pulling her in toward him. Their lips touched, at first softly and then more passionately. He then moved down to the side of her neck, before he pushed her hair back to expose more to his greedy lips. Every touch on her skin fuelled the burning fire of desire inside her and yet she was doubtful.
“Are you sure?” she asked concernedly.
He gave her a reassuring smile and a hungry look that cleared her doubts. Their lips touched again and they forgot about the chaotic world around them. Her blouse drifted down her back as it fell to the floor, then her bra, revealing her arched back and full breasts. Every muscle in his body became tense as he ran his hands on her body. He spun her round and against the wall; his hands embraced her and reached down to her pants. Her soft, but firm, cheeks were revealed as they fell to the floor.
She could feel every cell on her skin where his hands and lips touched. She felt him kneel down behind her and then, she could no longer hold it in herself; she moaned with pleasure. The dull pain in his torso became more insistent, but he was on the edge and too late to pull back from it. He had already leapt far beyond it.
He hurriedly pushed his pants downwards as he rose back up again and pressed his body against hers, feeling her soft skin. He could sense the longing in her body as much as his so he waited no longer. He was lost as soon as their bodies merged. His body thrust itself to its own deepening rhythm. She felt light in the strength and power surrounding her and the gratifying sensation within her. She had missed that feeling; she let her body take control. The more his pain intensified, the more the passion within him grew and drove him on; ever stronger and ever upward toward release.
As his body convulsed, the mixture of ecstasy and pain throbbing through his it overwhelmed him and the roar that escaped from his throat exploded in intensity, vibrating his body as it convulsed; then another, and another, each slightly less than the previous one. The deep resonance of the roaring voice, mixed with the feeling of her husband’s powerful spasms and muscular vibrations throughout her body pushed Samantha into the abyss. Waves of energy flowed through her.
Outside the private quarters the two Secret Service agents heard the roar that had reached them through multiple rooms and walls. “Seems the President is recovering well” one of them said as they smiled at each other.
Ashbridge held his wife within his arms, cherishing this moment of calm and emotional closeness that had been so rare in the past weeks of chaos. “I love you”, he whispered into her ear.
“I love you too, you crazy bastard” she said, laughing softly “you better lie down for a while, before you collapse.”
Ashbridge nodded, “good idea” as the warm energy ebbed, but the pain remained.
Washington D.C., The White House 8pm
Ashbridge opened the attachment in the email from his speechwriter, and started reading. Yes, this was what he had wanted; James had done an excellent job. Still a few changes required, but pretty close. ‘Crazy bastard’ he thought, as he smiled to himself.