The Problem

Situation Room

"...And that, gentlemen and ladies, concludes our presentation."

"Excuse me, but are you actually suggesting that something is hatching from inside the Earth?"

"No, Secretary. We are suggesting that the model that best fits is what might happen if we were standing on an eggshell, and the chick inside was pecking it's way out. What is happening inside the Earth to cause these vibrations? We do not know."

"Do you have any suggestions for the next steps?

"Mr. Secretary, under normal circumstances, half the geologists in the world would be headed to the Arctic Circle right now, but with the disruption of most ground-transport, the only way to get there is by airlift, and the only planes flying are military. Civilian pilots won't take to the air when they can't be sure that the runaway will be there when they get where they're going. The military cargo craft have rough runway capability, and enough room to carry everything we need.

"The problem is, we need everyone else with Arctic Circle interests to do the same all around the Arctic Basin; without that, we can't get enough data to predict what might happen next, much less when. We also need any GPR equipped satellites to retask to cover the Arctic Basin, in particular the edges. I don't know what the government has available right now, but if you have anything there's nothing better you can be doing with them right now than gathering all the data you can."

"And you think this might lead to a solution?"

"Mr. Secretary, I do not think anything will lead to a solution. However, I am not willing to "go quietly into that good night." I'm going to go kicking and screaming the whole damn way. Maybe someone will get irritated enough with the noise to come up with an idea."

chuckles

"Mr. President?"

"Yes, Secretary?"

"I advise putting the full resources of the United States of America on this problem. Give these three, and whomever else they pick up along the way, whatever they think they need, and maybe a bit more too."

"Gentlemen and ladies?"

"I see no dissent. So ordered. General Quartermain, make the arrangements, these three are the leads for the team, whatever they want, they get, and I don't care how much it costs.

"Director. Paul. Janet. You three may be the only hope this tired globe has. If you get there and find out it's going to subside, fine. If you get there and find out the lid is coming off, fine. Either way, it's a win for me."

"Mr. President?"

"Well, in the first case, we go back to life as normal with a bunch of disaster aid to figure out. I've got people who know how to do that, all I have to do is give the word, and I'm done.

"On the other hand, if the lid comes off, I don't have to worry about anything at all, and the preliminary budget is due in two weeks. You have that long to find out which it is.

"Of course, if you actually find a solution, I'll have to consider all of you personal enemies."

"Why!?!"

"Because then I have to find people to implement that solution, and I don't know a damn thing about geology."

chuckles

Prudhoe Bay

"Hey, Mike! We've got a military cargo overhead, looking for a place to land! Let's get the rigs clear of the road, it's the best we've got.'

"You got it! All Rig Drivers! Get your rigs clear of the road! We need it for a runway! Move it NOW! Dozer Drivers! Stand by to shove any slackers off into the marsh! You got thirty seconds to get your rigs moving!"

...

"Director! It looks like they're trying to clear the road for us."

"Good! Go for it whenever you think you've got room."

"Strap down folks! This is going to be bumpy!"

...

"Welcome To Prudhoe Bay, I sure hope you people are the cavalry, cause there's some really bad shit going down here."

"I don't know about cavalry, you might consider us combination scouts and medics for the very sick Earth we have. We have some heavy equipment to move, can any of your people help?"

"Standard ice-country pallets?"

"Yes!"

"No problem. Where do you need it?"

"String it out along the bay, just make sure it's all on solid ground and at least 10 meters above sea level."

"Doc? That's going to be hard. Sea level has been jumping around between 10 and 20 meters as it is. Despite the risk, I've had the men staying on the local drill platforms, at least that way they won't drown in there sleep!"

"Can we get 30 meters above sea level?"

"Only on the rigs. Does everything have to be in contact with the ground, or do you have remote lines for the sensors?"

"Good idea! Let's get moving!"

USGS HQ

"Yes, Mr. President, they're safe on the ground, for certain values of "safe." I understand that sea level has been jumping between 10 and 20 meters, so they're having to use the platforms to stay above the water."

...

"Yes, Mr. President, I'll pass the word. They have Irridium phones with them, the latest encryption tech too. Certainly! Here's their phone number, but I wouldn't recommend calling them, they're probably up to their ears in cables getting everything set up. If you'll give me your number, I have them call you as soon as they report in."

...

"Yes, Mr. President, I have a TS/SCI clearance."

...

"Thank you, Sir. I'll do my best."

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