Nemesis Read Online Free Page A

Astronomer Royal unzipped his parka. “It’s hot in here,” he said, holding out a pen. Webb ignored it and read
    OFFICIAL SECRETS ACT
    To be signed by members of Government Departments on appointment and, where desirable, by non-civil servants on first being given access to Government information.
    My attention has been drawn to the provisions of the Official Secrets Act set out on the back of this document and I am fully aware of the serious consequences which may follow any breach of these provisions.
    Webb felt the hairs prickling on the back of his head. On the back, he read that if any person having in his possession or control any secret official code word, password, sketch, plan, model, article, note, document, or information which relates to or is used in a prohibited place or any thing in such a place, or which has been made or obtained in contravention of this Act, or which has been entrusted in confidence to him by any person holding office under His Majesty or which he obtained or to which he has had access owing to his position as a person who holds or has held a contract made on behalf of His Majesty, or as a person who is or has been employed under a person who holds or has held such an office or contract, communicates . . . or uses . . . or retains . . . or fails to take reasonable care of, or so conducts himself as to endanger the safety of, the sketch, plan, model, article, note, document, secret official code or password or information, then that person shall be guilty of misdemeanour.
    He handed it back unsigned.
    The Astronomer Royal made no attempt to hide his annoyance; his teeth audibly tightened on his pipe. He returned the pen to an inside pocket, and glanced quickly at Walkinshaw. The latter nodded briefly.
    Tolman’s voice cut sharply into the intercom: “Do not smoke. Put that pipe out immediately.”
    Sir Bertrand continued to puff. Bleak Atlantic light from a window had turned his wrinkled face into a mountainous terrain. The helicopter was filling with blue smoke. He said, speaking carefully: “The Americans suspect that an asteroid has been clandestinely diverted on to a collision course with their country.”
    Webb stared at him, aware of a sudden light-headedness as he struggled to take it in. “
What?
You could be talking a million megatons.”
    “Webb, I’m aware that you think I’m just an establishment hack. However even I can multiply a mass by the square of its velocity.” Sir Bertrand pushed a little metal stubber into his pipe. “The Americans informed their NATO allies late last night—the Eastern bloc partners excepted of course—and the Foreign Office requested my assistance at four o’clock this morning. But as you know asteroids are not my field.”
    “An asteroid like that would devastate half the planet. This has to be wrong.”
    “If only.”
    “Which asteroid?”
    “You’re missing the point,” said the AR. “The idea is that you tell us.”
    Webb tried to grasp what he had just been told. The AR and the civil servant watched him closely. “Okay, you’ve scared me. What you’re asking is insane. It would be easier to find a needle in a haystack.”
    “Nevertheless it must be done and done quickly. The Americans will need to find some way of diverting it.”
    “You must have some information about it.”
    The AR shook his head. “None whatsoever. All we can say is that at some unknown future time it will manifest itself over American skies as a meteor of ferocious intensity.”
    “An asteroid impact on North America could leave two hundred million dead. Suppose I fail, or make a wrong identification? I can’t take responsibility for that.”
    “There is nobody else. And I would prefer a more respectful tone.”
    Webb felt his mouth beginning to dry up. “I’m sorry, Sir Bertrand, but the moment I say yes, I’m swallowed up in God knows what. Get someone else.”
    The Astronomer Royal’s voice dripped with acid. “I know this will sound