Chapter 2 - Military Mystery

798 Days 'Til Doomsday

May 28th, 2063

[xxxxxxxxxx, xxxxxxxxxx - Undisclosed location]

Deep in the earth's crust in a hidden military facility, a group of men were clad in uniforms with various medals pinned on their left and right chest pockets. Encircling a rectangular table, they stare at a large screen covering a wall at the furthest end of the table. They were all sweating from forehead to chin awaiting news from this screen which has been flickering with white noise for some time. The flickering white noise seems to be getting weaker with images popping up. Before long the image clears as a women wearing military clothing appears on screen...

"......Sir this is Omega 1, Reporting"

At the furthest end of the table, a man, wearing spectacles and a general's uniform, speaks with a tone directed to a subordinate.

"Report, Omega 1"

A few seconds go by before the woman replies as if there was a glitch in the video feed.

"......Sir, 'The Device' is a success"

"Great, report the details of your current location Omega 1"

"......Yes Sir. We've stepped onto a clearing of plains and did some basic tests. I decided it was safe to remove our helmets as it is an Oxygen based planet. We are currently searching for food and water sources. We have found insect life and signs of animal life......"

"Omega 1, great job. Be sure to find water, the most important resource!"

"......YES SIR. Omega 1 Out.... ..... ..... ....."

Before long the woman disappears from the image and a few seconds later the screen starts to flicker white noise once again. The uniform clad men surrounding the rectangular table begin to turn to each other while seated. Many of the men seem to be ecstatic while others seem to be making a thought provoking face as if they were thinking of a battle plan. A few minutes went by, as some still seemed to be discussing things amongst themselves while a couple others still had a face of thought, the man with spectacles at the end finally stood up from the table and began to address the others.

"Well Generals, seeing as this is a success and they will no doubt find water, how we should all proceed is a discussion that should be had now, given we only have about 2 years time."

As the general with spectacles sits down into his seat, about half a minute goes by in silence. One of the generals speaks up.

"Roger, you are correct in saying that this discussion needs to happen now, so I will be first in giving my opinion. I believe in protecting military secrets and that they should only be used for our citizens."

As the general appeals a few of the other generals nod their head in agreement with the statement. Roger cuts in before anyone else gives their opinion.

"Generals, you need to understand that if our situation was normal by all means you'd be correct in your opinion. But as you all should know by now that our situation is far from that of normal, given we only have roughly 2 years time before our Sun explodes. We need to think beyond that of our citizens and more of mankind. I hope you all understand what I mean."

As Roger made his statement most of the generals were nodding their head in agreement. One of the generals who was in agreement to rogers statement spoke.

"Seeing as most of us are in agreement with General Rogers Opinion, I believe we should proceed with handing over our intelligence to the U.N."

An older general with a full head of white hair, decides to speak after finding a resolution to the conversation.

"Excuse me..... but I have an objection to giving our intelligence to the U.N. we still need to protect ourselves."

"Oh, you disagree.... then perhaps you have a suggestion, General Grand?"

States Roger as he removes his spectacles, wipes them clean with a handkerchief and proceeds to place them upon his face. General Grand clears his throat with a cough

and begins to speak.

"Well, I suggest we build all The Devices in house, and each Device should be rigged to Self-destruct if tampered with, of course letting the U.N. and all Nations know what we have done to the Devices, allowing us to be transparent in our protection of our selves from our technology. Rather than handing blueprints of such sensitive technology, that most nations couldn't even build."

As he finished, most generals were in agreement with his opinion, even Roger. Roger took some time, as if making a face of thought and spoke.

"Ummmm.... Yes, this would be the best way to go about saving mankind and protecting ourselves all at the same time."

After massaging his chin, he turned his chair to a corner and called out.

"DIANNA!"

A women came out from the corner and proceeded to the Spectacled General, she seemed to be there through the entire conversation.

"Sir?"

Roger spoke to the women in a familiar tone.

"Did you get everything?"

"Yes"

"Good, First start the construction of The Devices, and then let the U.N. know we found and built away to save everyone."

After Roger spoke he turned back to the other generals and proceed with a conversation of how the device worked and what power was needed to turn it on, the women was still standing next to the general looking down at her notes and a worried expression began to cover her face, she stood there for half minute and began to speak.

"Excuse me, Sir?"

He turned to her once more.

"Dianna?"

"Hummmmm.... so you want the U.N. to know that there is a bomb in each of The Devices, correct?"

"Yes"

She's looks at Roger and sees he is serious. She coughs to clear her throat and proceeds to speak.

"Sir, are you sure that's a good idea, telling them that you are giving devices with explosives inside?"

"Ummmm.... Yes, it does sound bad, but it's either this or the world can fend for themselves, right?"

He smiles with a devious look in his eye.

"Yes I suppose so."

Dianna is satisfied with the answer she got and is asked to leave the room. A few hours later, 2 floors below from where the meeting was held, a factory of working robots begins to activate. The whole floor is littered with robots working on experimental weapons and vehicles. In the far corner of the factory specific robots and machines are working on devices about the size of a small car engine and being placed into wooden crates painted black marked with "United States Armed Forces" emblems and "United Nations" emblems. The black crates are then placed onto prongs that are sticking out from a conveyor belt against the wall and are then hoisted up to the surface where they are prepared to ship out from the undisclosed location.