Doctor Who_ Space War - Malcolm Hulke [7]
Hardy shook his head. ‘Listen, son, I’ll tell you what they’ll do on Earth. They’ll send a polite note of protest round to the Draconian Embassy. That stupid President you voted for, she’ll be inviting the Dragon Ambassador round for afternoon tea. I tell you, the Government should have blown the Dragons out of Space years ago.’
In his nervousness Stewart tried to joke. ‘You’re a real warmonger, Hardy.’
‘What do you think this is? It’s as bad as war.’
Stewart avoided Hardy’s eyes. ‘Look, the door of our spaceship is pure durilium. They’re not going to get through that in a hurry.’
The Draconian voice broke in on his words. ‘Earthmen, we are losing patience. This is your final warning. Surrender your cargo now or you will be destroyed.’
Stewart felt a terrible dryness in his mouth. He looked at the two blaster guns Hardy had laid on the floor. Slowly he reached down and picked one up. As he felt the heavy metal in his hands strength seemed to grow in him. At least he would die fighting. ‘We’d better get down to the air lock,’ he said quietly.
Hardy hadn’t yet touched the second blaster gun. ‘Going to be a hero for a cargo of flour?’
‘I’m going to kill a Dragon before they kill us.’ Stewart rose from his seat and walked down the corridor. After a few moments Hardy stood up, picked up the gun, and followed Stewart.
Alone in her white office, the President of Earth watched the news on television. At the touch of a button, the wall facing her instantly turned into a huge television screen; the news-reader’s face in close-up was twelve feet high, in perfect natural colour, with totally realistic depth.
‘... and the Bureau of Population Control announced today that the recently reclaimed Arctic Areas are now ready for habitation...’
As a democracy, Earth’s news service was independent of government control. What was said on television affected the thinking, and therefore the votes, of hundreds of millions of Earth people. The President always watched the news two or three times each day, to find out what her voters would think of her peace policy.
The newscaster was starting now on another item. ‘News is coming in of another Draconian attack on an Earth cargo ship. This is the third attack on Earth spaceships this month. As usual the Draconian Government, through its Embassy on Earth, denies all knowledge of the attack. Our President has not yet made any comment, but Congressman Brook, Leader of the Opposition, told one of our reporters—’ The newscaster’s face was replaced on the screen by that of Congressman Brook, the President’s main opponent in the Earth Senate. He had a strong yet kindly face, auburn hair and twinkling eyes. He always spoke slowly and convincingly, as though each word had been carved in granite. Hundreds of millions of Earth people adored him.
‘The people of Earth will no longer tolerate these unprovoked attacks,’ he announced. ‘It is time for Earth to take a stand and issue a final ultimatum to the Draconian Emperor. Since the days of St George, Earthmen have been perfectly capable of putting Dragons in their place
The President pressed the button again and the television screen vanished. She was disgusted by Brook’s use of the word ‘Dragons’, a direct appeal to people’s emotions. Because Brook had no power on Earth, he could say anything he pleased that might gain him votes. The President, however, had always to observe the diplomatic niceties.
She looked up to see General Williams enter by the round door. She burst out angrily, ‘I ordered a complete security blackout on this present incident, yet here it is on television.’
Williams shrugged his powerful shoulders. ‘The news services have their own Space radio monitors, Madam President. Probably they picked up the cargo ship’s distress signals.’
She looked away from him. ‘Or someone leaked the information.’
Williams knew what she meant by that insinuation.