...And On That Bombshell
Once dishes have been cleared away, Jeff slowly gets to his feet.
“Well…after recent events,” He glances uncomfortably at the faces in the room. “It’s become clear to me that, while as you can appreciate some secrets are necessary, perhaps I’ve been keeping one too many from those closest to me.”
He’s resting his knuckles on the table, almost like he’s in a boardroom. “I’ve decided that you have a right to know what’s going on. However, you cannot tell anybody that isn’t in this room. If you can’t promise that, then I’ll give you an opportunity to leave now.”
He pauses for a few uncomfortable seconds.
“My wife – your Mommy, your daughter-in-law, your sister-in-law – died in an avalanche. An avalanche on that scale was a once-in-a-lifetime event, not just in that region but in the world. She wasn’t the only casualty. She died because the machinery…the drill…had to be brought from 30 miles away, because it couldn’t drill fast enough, because the pile it was creating by trying was causing more instability they couldn’t afford. Lucy wasn’t the only one. Those skiers that hung from the rail, that couldn’t be saved because the chopper couldn’t get close enough. The climbers that have still not been found because the heat technology was on the scene too late.”
Jeff pauses again. It’s strange, but it’s easier for him to talk about when it’s broken down like this. “I couldn’t save her, the mountain rescue team couldn’t save her…nobody could save her.”
“Her story isn’t unique. Just last week a fire broke out in central Madrid and quickly spread to the neighbouring buildings. They had plenty of willing and able firefighters, but they couldn’t get enough trucks down the narrow streets. The tunnel that collapsed in Tokyo – they had to call the GDF to come and lift some of the heavier pieces, but their aircraft is not built for that.”
“Maybe you think I’m crazy for what I’m about to say, but…” His attention is on his sons now. “The trauma that we’ve been through. The truth is that we are not alone. Hundreds of families are struggling, just like us, to get over losing someone important. And that’s why I moved you all to a remote island. I know I’ve given the wrong impression: I’m not running away from the memory your Mom at all. I’m running towards her. This is all in her honour.”
He stands up, back straight. Maybe they’ll think him crazy, maybe they won’t. At least they’ll have answers. “I’m setting up a rescue organisation, International Rescue. Highly specialised equipment that can be quickly dispatched to anywhere in the world, to cope with extreme scenarios that local emergency services can’t deal with. There will be a reconnaissance jet, a large craft for heavy lifting and transport, a rocket for astronauts in danger, a deep-sea submersible, and a communications satellite. The technology Brains and I are putting together is – is remarkable. And that’s why it needs to be kept secret, and to be kept safe. In five years’ time I’ll start recruiting operatives – and in seven, we’ll be ready to launch.”
“I hope my intentions make more sense to you now.”
{{ RP Starter…is gonna branch out now XDDD please tag #AndOnThatBombshell }}
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