Intelligent Design: Revelations to Apocalypse (33 page)

Terra’s holographic time-lapse sequence showed it appearing nearly unchanged—with the exception of more frequent and intense electrical storms and wind mostly along the equator, but also high up near the poles. There were some small meteor impacts, minimal tectonic shifting, and increased volcanic activity, but the formulas and calculations flashed green, indicating an accurate assessment of minimal effect on Terra and its inhabitants.

“Junior Architect Hades would have been proud of his Terra project. How he managed to create such a planet, civilization, and culture is beyond me,” Janus said.

“It is remarkable, Master Janus. Again, this is yet another example of the probabilities being difficult to calculate,” the Keeper said.

Suddenly, the point of view shifted back to the asteroid field. Two massive asteroids broke orbit. Janus followed their progress as they came into the orbital path of Venus and both struck the planet violently. An array of calculations, numbers, symbols, and formulas sprung up all around Venus. Instead of time-lapse holography showing planetary changes, it remained in a perpetual, fiery state—as if the images going forward were not yet determined.

“In regard to Venus, every calculation completed is inconclusive. After nearly nonstop simulations and projections, I am unable to determine if these impacts completely destroyed the planet or if it restarted the planet by reigniting its molten core, eradicating the sulfuric-acid-based atmosphere, igniting volcanic activity…All simulations move in the direction of a new beginning for the planet. When the greenhouse effect escalated and all contact was lost with Junior Architect Iris, we know this scenario of using impact craters to terraform the planet to its core elements was considered. As of yet, this is still inconclusive.”

“Best guess, Keeper?” Janus asked.

The fiery explosions ceased as surface rock and atmospheric gases spewed from the planet. After a brief time, the planet’s cloud cover atmosphere thinned to reveal hints of red lava and fires, electrical storms, and massive rain clouds. In less than a mere moment, the once-hostile Venus evolved into a remarkable sight, completely contrary to its former self. It showed hints of vast oceans, volcanoes, and a rich biosphere.

“So Mars and Venus, with minimal life, may improve from this apocalypse, Terra goes unchanged, but Earth, host to the largest quantity of life, faced another extinction-level event,” Janus mused aloud.

“Yes,” the Keeper said. “Yet another example of how all these events seem unlikely as random acts. Based on these events…to date…I am of the belief that all of this is not accidental. It is part of a plan. What the plan is and the next steps are all unclear to me, however.”

“An intelligent design? All part of a greater plan?” Janus asked.

“From Earth’s perspective, this plan appears less ‘intelligent’ than catastrophic.”

“Yes,” Janus said. “I'm sure Earth and Terra's computer simulations are already computing multiple scenarios. I am sure they, too, understand the purposeful nature of all these factors that led to this eventuality.”

Janus looked back down at his girl again. Her long, sleeping body made her look so peaceful.

“Master Janus, what are your thoughts on the existence of the Originators and their possible involvement?” the Keeper asked.

Janus was surprised at his own immediate response.

“I think the Originators are involved in all of this. Just as this little girl I hold is precious life, the odds of her being here were minimal and her presence is miraculous. Maybe that is what we are witnessing; another chance to start new life on two dead planets and the continued evolution of life on two others. I would say that, if the creation of an individual life is an act of the Originators, our understanding of what is to come is more than possible. I would say likely. In the end, though, all of this does raise more questions than answers.”

The room fell silent. The holographic solar system evaporated to reveal Janus’s humble living space again.

“I have changed, Master Janus. I believe that where my logic fails, I must have another avenue of inquiry to follow,” the Keeper said.

“Yes, my friend. When all logic and reason fails, we must rely on others and on faith. I think you have faith now, and believe there are some things that are more powerful than logic—and beyond our comprehension.”

“Yes. The Originators are our god. One voice for many.”

“I think you are right, Master Keeper,” Janus said.

“Thank you for helping me reach this new level of sapience,” the computer said.

“That is what friends do.”

Janus felt a smile come on. He was not sure if it was because his little girl was stirring or his earlier creation, the Master Keeper, was evolving yet again.

They are both good reasons to be happy.

They blame those who remain silent, they blame those who speak much, they blame those who speak in moderation. There is none in the world who is not blamed.
—The Buddha

The warm wind on a clear, starlight night was something to behold in that part of Topeka, Kansas. With her “Summer Camp” operational, fully functioning, and ready for fifty-plus years of underground survival, Reich was enjoying the outside as much as she could before the “end of days” arrived and they all would retreat to the modified underground fortress originally created for war—now refitted as a sort of ark. With 215 humans and four Terrans under her care, she felt the weight of her role.
Leader
. She had been a major in the military once. Now she was a major again, but with the added burden of also being the law and order, the judge and legislature, the friend and disciplinarian. For now she put those thoughts aside and tried to simply feel the breeze and look at the stars. In the distance, she heard voices drawing closer. She looked below her, down the winding trail, and saw a column of youths being led by two men and a handful of counselors from Future Academy. She could tell who was leading the teams.

Reich felt as if she were watching two overgrown adolescent boys argue divergent points. Principal Adam Smith and Anthony Perez were dressed in classic Sahara fatigues, breathable shirts, and hats—certainly not their usual attire. She had known that they would get into a debate when they agreed to lead students out earlier that evening for a stargazing, astronomical field trip. From her obscured position, she could easily see that while the fifteen or so boys and girls were occupied with their calculations and tablets, the two men were on an entirely different subject.

“I’m just saying that democracy has worked
one
time—just once. I think Ms. Reich’s plan for a more military-republic-like government makes more sense than a democracy,” Smith said.

Reich had to suppress her laughter. Even from a distance, she could see Perez’s expression of annoyance and frustration.

“You know your name is the same as the founder of capitalism’s, right?
Wealth of Nations
? Of all people, I would have expected you to understand that an effective democracy is always a republic. And we have an opportunity to make our small society evolve into a greater one if we do it right from the very start,” she heard Perez say.

As they walked by her, she heard Smith’s response.

“So, when Winston Churchill said the best argument against democracy was a five-minute conversation with the average voter, was he specifically thinking of a person like you, or did you two actually meet?”

Wow! Now that was good!

“You know, I’m going to feel bad when that big, metal blast door closes and you’re on the other side,” Perez said without delay.

She watched them move beyond earshot and watched their animated discussion continue as they walked to the main house. Even as they passed the still-dilapidated-looking buildings, abandoned patrol booth, and crumbled fence that gave the world the suggestion this was still an abandoned complex, she felt immediately comforted that all the years of work and preparations were completed below, beyond prying eyes—and still private. She immediately thought of Officers Middleton and Spenser and their expressions when they had first seen the exterior and then the interior. Similar to Perez and Smith, she had opportunities to watch them spar over the past two years as well. They were no less vigorous or creative than Smith and Perez. She was very happy that their respective families were already in her ark. And when the time came, they and Inspector Bradley would join them. She just hoped he would make the last flight out. While she had most people who wanted to be there already in place, a few had decided to hold out to the last possible moment, to keep society from falling apart. Her Scotland Yard friends were just three of fifteen “out there.”

Hmm. Maybe having them trapped together for fifty-plus years is not a good plan.

She pushed the thought out of her head and enjoyed another warm breeze. There were howls in the distance, and bird calls as well. She was right in the middle of listening to see if she could identify the predator when a bright light flickered high above her. For just a moment she thought it was a shooting star, but its stationary position and the way it lit up made it clear it was nothing that mundane. She focused on it and stepped forward.

She forced herself to breathe as she witnessed the end of one era and the beginning of another. She watched quietly as the silent, itinerant light appeared to falter into darkness. Reich wondered if that was it and all her preparation had been in vain. For milliseconds, she clung to hope. Then, a burst of light erupted in the silent sky. The dark horizon lit up as if it were illuminated by a ray of moonlight. More howling, nocturnal sounds, and birds of prey screeched as if they heard the end coming. The small new star’s flickering steadied into a constant flame. Tears fell on Reich’s cheeks.

“No…” she said softly. Reich looked down across the plain and saw that the new light did not eradicate darkness, but sort of brightened it instead. She was startled by a loud siren—one she had reinstalled for this very event. With the children back from stargazing, she knew she was the last one outside. Reich brushed away her tears and walked to the main house. The animals continued to make noise, and her pace felt as if she were weighed down with every step she took to her new role as leader. Lux and Vespere were already at the front door of the building.

“Dux Reich. It starts,” Lux said. Her tone was unusually somber. Vespere handed her another tablet that showed a news report already in progress. Reich took it and continued walking with both Terrans behind her. In a well-practiced fashion, Lux and Vespere systematically closed down and packed up portable equipment, sensors, and electronics in the empty front room of the main house. With the sole exception of an old table, there was no furniture in that or any other house in the compound. Reich flipped through a number of channels until she found a very conservative news team. They were the same news team that had rejected General Farrell’s initial warnings as science fiction and scare tactics on the part of the left. When the data had come in and were verified, she was sure they never apologized.

It didn’t matter then. It doesn’t now.

The two anchors, two unknown talking heads that worked the third shift, were the only voices of reason at this time of change. Most of America was asleep at three in the morning. The clearly shaken, pale male anchor was in the middle of his report when she tuned in.

“Again, there has been an astronomical event that the Internet has been buzzing about for at least a year. As though the discovery of another sister planet with an advanced civilization wasn’t enough, it would appear that rumors of Jupiter destabilizing into a second sun are true. The presidents of the United States and Russia will be addressing their respective countries simultaneously. This would imply that both governments either knew this would happen or strongly suspected this would happen…”
the male anchor said before he unexpectedly ended his sentence. There was an uncomfortable silence until the female anchor picked up the report. She was older and seemed calmer than the male
.

“If you are just joining us, the planet Jupiter has indeed erupted into another sun. Chatter about this possibility on the Internet and other sources has been prominent for the last year, ever since General David Farrell’s unprecedented announcement about the existence of the planet Terra and the advanced Terran culture modeled after our own historical Roman Empire. Unfortunately, after General Farrell’s revelation, he and nearly two hundred of his associates seemingly vanished and have not been heard from since. While it was originally thought that he and his associates were silenced by our government—”

“They lied. Our government knew this would happen, and they didn’t tell us…”
an off-camera voice said.

Reich closed her eyes. The male anchor was clearly piecing it together for the first time and was horrified at the implications.

“He thought it was all bullshit, like nearly everyone else,” she muttered.

Lux heard her as she was shutting off the building’s breakers, and Vespere handed her and Reich a flashlight.

“It is unfortunate that your species’ world leaders moved to discredit the general,” Lux said in a sad tone.

“My guess is they wanted to minimize social unrest and chaos while they planned for a select few to survive,” Reich said.

“That explains all the cyber attacks and attempts to disrupt our operation,” Vespere said.

Reich looked back at her small screen. The female anchor remained poised as she went on with her report.

“…there are some unconfirmed reports that normally dormant volcanoes have begun to smolder and show evidence of activity. Based on earlier interviews, we know the new sun is four times the distance from us as we are from our own sun. While the new sun’s light will pose no problem to humans, its gravitational pull could cause possible shifts in plate tectonics, weather patterns, and volcanic activity. The President will be on in just—”