"da Cruz, Daniel - Republic of Texas 02 - Texas on the Rocks" - читать интересную книгу автора (Da Cruz Daniel)

"Have you heard the news?" said the sepulchral voice.

"What news?"

"If you don't know, you obviously haven't heard it. You have a certain Delia Ann Mukhaiber scheduled to testify at two o'clock, I believe?"

"Yes."

"Cancel her appearance and call Professor Scott Randolph."

"Who's he?"

"Oh, of course, you don't know. Well, he's the man you're going to call," said Grayle, ringing off.

Another of Grayle's simpleminded jokes, thought Castle angrily, but knew better than to ignore his consultant's instructions. So far they had worked perfectly. The hearings had gone smoothly, the press was unanimous in praise of his handling of this complicated issue, and according to the television polls, an unprecendented 24 percent of

the viewing public was tuning in to this public service program, nearly as many as were following The Guiding Light.

"I call Professor Scott Randolph," said Chairman Castle as the committee settled into its chairs shortly after two o'clock.

Professor Randolph, a very tall man with an air of amiable, scholary distraction, was sworn and took his place at the witness table.

"Professor Randolph, since some of the viewers of these proceedings may not be as informed of your brilliant accomplishments as we, perhaps you'd be good enough to tell us a little of your background."

"Distinguished Professor, particle physics, Stanford. Ten years' study of effect of human activity on stratospheric ozone layer. President, PTA, Palo Alto. California high jump champion, 1966. Oh, yes, Nobel Prize in chemistry, 1989."

Castle looked at him blankly, none the wiser for the professor's burst of telegraphese. Then he recalled Grayle's words.

"But it's the implications of the latest news that brings you here today, is it not, Professor?"

"Right."

Castle smiled and relaxed.

"Then perhaps you'll tell us all about it, in your own manner. From the beginning."

"August 2002?"

"Yes," said Castle confidently. "Not everyone will recall the background."

"True. August 15, 2002. Mount Kharjak blows top in Russian Kazakhstan. Five point five on Richter scale. United States yawns. Everybody forgets quick. Remember Krakatoa?"

"How forget?" said Castle, getting the hang of the language but wondering whether Krakatoa was an exotic tropical plant or the latest dance rage.

"Krakatoa. Javan volcano. Put up six cubic miles of fine dust in 1883, not so? Cloud envelopes earth for three years, cutting solar radiation. Kharjak no Krakatoa--then. But second explosion today equivalent to five Krakatoas.

Sound waves shatters windows in Moscow, tsunami-- tidal wave--created in Mediterranean. Maybe wipe out Alexandria, Naples, Barcelona, Marseilles."

"Frightful!" acknowledged Castle. "But what will be the effect on the United States, Professor?"