2040 Revelations (23 page)

‘The speed, of course, isn’t the only factor that makes AG5 such a threat to this planet. The mass of a forty-five calibre bullet is on average fifteen grams, whereas the mass of AG5 is one point two four multiplied by ten to the power fourteen kilograms, or approximately one hundred and twenty-four trillion metric tonnes. This figure is estimated, as the actual density and composition of the asteroid is unknown; in actuality it may be much less or significantly greater, although this is considered unlikely. Such variables will determine the size of the blast produced on impact, the size of the devastation zone and the power and duration of the predicted ensuing after-effects. Mathematical modelling software and forecasters have striven to predict the fallout on our beloved planet since AG5’s discovery in 2011.’

‘So what type of blast and after-effects can we expect, Professor Singh?’ Jessica Klein said.

Gaining momentum, Professor Singh continued with more assurance. ‘The impact will result in an explosion of two multiplied by ten to the power of seven megatons of TNT, or twenty million megatons. This is equivalent to four hundred thousand 50-megaton nuclear bombs. The crater will measure close to one hundred miles wide.

‘As AG5 hits, two hundred miles due east of Durban in the Indian Ocean, a procession of mega tsunamis will expand from the site. Initial tsunamis will measure around one mile in height close to the impact zone to approximately a quarter of a mile high two thousand miles from the impact zone, decreasing in height until they hit landfall, where they will rear up once more. After the first wave ripple a train of smaller tsunamis of varying heights will be caused by the steam uplift produced by sea water entering the white hot meteor crater; further tsunamis will also be produced by shifting of the Earth’s crust resulting from the initial impact and detonation.’

The camera turned once more to the host, who nodded in understanding. ‘I see. Will these tsunamis affect only South Africa or will they spread around the whole world?’

‘No on both counts,’ Professor Singh said. ‘Thankfully Antarctica will take the brunt of the tsunamis; however, the various nations surrounding the Indian Ocean will experience significant mega tsunami strikes. The countries of eastern Africa, Madagascar, Yemen, Oman, Pakistan and India will all be badly hit and mass evacuations have been underway for many years to minimise casualties.’

‘We are led to believe that a kind of nuclear winter will follow the impact; is that correct?’ Jessica Klein asked him.

‘It isn’t a nuclear winter, rather an impact winter, but yes after the impact dust, steam and gases will be ejected into the upper atmosphere. The Earth will slowly become enveloped in a dense dust structure that will pervade skylines the world over.’

‘One last question, Professor,’ she said, ‘if I may?’

Professor Singh nodded his consent.

‘It was first publicised in 2011 that AG5 would impact the Earth in 2040 and that it was a mere few hundred feet in size. This prediction was then reversed soon after, with scientists informing us that it would only come close to Earth, passing half a million miles away. Nearly a decade later we were told that the meteorite would indeed be colliding with the Earth in 2040, and a couple of years after that it was revealed that the size of the meteor was much greater than previously thought. My question is, was this slow revelation of the truth a way to soften the blow to the public and to prevent panic and fear, or was it incompetence on the part of NASA and other international space agencies?’

Showing discomfort, the professor shifted in his chair as the rest of the panel and millions of viewers around the world looked on. He cleared his throat. ‘I think I speak for all astronomers when I say that we were in no way involved in the initial reports fed to the media.’

‘Some call it a deception,’ Jessica Klein said.

‘The course of action taken was agreed upon by the international community and the UN Security Council,’ he told her. ‘Although, personally, I think people could have dealt with the reality better if they had been told the truth from the beginning.’ He paused to gather his thoughts. ‘Were the initial reports that it would not hit us a deliberate deception? I don’t know, perhaps. If so, I can understand their reasons for it even if I do not agree with them myself.’ Looking a little shaken after having to fend of such probing questions Professor Singh took a sip of water as the camera cut back to Jessica Klein. ‘Thank you, Professor Singh, for your candour and for the comprehensive breakdown of the facts and figures surrounding the meteor and the impact itself—’

‘There is one point I would like to add,’ the professor said, cutting in.

‘Of course,’ Jessica replied as the camera shifted back onto the man from India.

‘It is a common misconception that AG5 is a meteor or meteorite. Technically it should only be referred to as an asteroid; the three terms are not interchangeable. Once it enters our atmosphere AG5 can be classed as a meteor and once it has been confirmed it survived impact, it can be called a meteorite.’

‘Thank you, Professor. That was actually a question I wanted to ask you later in the programme. I have to say, though, I prefer the term meteorite rather than asteroid. I think it’s been referred to as such for so long that it’s almost altered its meaning.’

The professor didn’t appear overly enamoured with the newsreader’s assertion, but Jessica Klein had already continued. ‘Moving on, I’ll now ask our U.S. panellist, Michael Bailey from Homeland Security, a few questions.’

The camera cut to a powerful looking man in a crisp grey suit.

‘Michael, what can we expect from governments around the world in response to this disaster? How have countries prepared for the coming events and what will the future hold for us all?’

‘Jessica, this event will affect the populations of every nation on the planet, of that here is no doubt. We will all experience significant disruption to our lives for many years to come, perhaps lasting a lifetime and beyond. Most of us have already had our lives altered on a daily basis due to measures introduced by UN resolutions, and by governments looking to ensure civilisation and economies continue to function at the highest levels possible during this biggest of transitional periods in human history. The challenges we will face individually and collectively will be great and spread across all aspects of our lives and work.’

‘What sort of economic challenges do we have to overcome or adapt to?’ Jessica asked him.

‘Good question. They will almost be limitless; however, the main issues will include adaptation to minimal or zero continental and long distance flights due to the dust in the atmosphere. Coupled with zero sunlight, this will have a catastrophic effect on the tourism market.

‘Farmers have had to adopt genetically modified grasses and crops to ensure the worldwide population does not starve. Satellites we have depended upon for what seems like an eternity, floating unseen above us, will be made virtually redundant due to the all-encompassing dust cloud set to encase the world. As a result significant fiscal stimulus has been injected into the global economy to switch to more robust surface-based networks.

‘Adapting to events that may or may not happen are perhaps the most challenging, it is not known whether we will experience acid rain, for instance. Still, this ambiguity has not prevented some companies from producing and marketing acid resistant clothing and umbrellas to protect us.’

‘So what are some of the more major disruptions we can expect in the years to come?’

‘If the ozone is damaged beyond predictions,’ Michael Bailey continued, ‘the human race may have to take on a twilight existence, going outdoors only after dark.’

‘That will be once the dust cloud has cleared, I take it?’ she said.

‘Well, it will be hard to distinguish between night and day in most places; however, during the daytime, if you can’t see the sun it will be possible to go outside since even intense UV rays will not be able to penetrate the dense particulates in the air. In answer to your question, yes, once the dust cloud has cleared, direct sunlight may be off limits. UV light without the ozone protecting us will bring about cancer and many other health issues, not just for us, but for all plant and animal life.’

‘Is that why many governments have daytime curfew redundancy procedures in place in case of such an event?’

‘It is. There are a whole raft of counter measures in place in the event of varying side effects caused by the meteor strike.’

‘Thank you, Michael. We will go into these issues in further detail later in the programme. I’d now like to speak to the Archbishop, if I may?’

The Archbishop of Canterbury, a greying, bearded man dressed in simple unassuming robes, nodded his head in acceptance.

‘Dr. Mowberry, I think now more than at any other time in human history, the church, religion and spirituality in general is something many of us will turn to in this, perhaps our darkest hour. Do you have any words of comfort that you can bestow upon our many viewers and listeners around the world?’

‘Well, first I’d like to say that you don’t have to be religious to believe in God, or gods, if you wish. Everyone has a right to believe in what they want, when they want and wherever they want. I believe in my faith, Christianity, but you can also have faith in whatever you choose. Faith will give you strength and comfort and prevent you from becoming too fearful. Negative emotions such as hate, fear and anger will corrupt your decision making processes, leading to a spiralling, self-perpetuating circle of negativity. Faith will protect you, be that faith in God, Christianity, family or friendship. The power of light will help keep the soul bright even under the darkest of clouds.

‘Spirituality is not the jurisdiction of just one religion or one group; it is for all races, colours and creeds to adopt as they so wish. This standpoint, of course, has not always been preached by my predecessors, but with enlightenment comes responsibility for the past and for the future. Without addressing past wrongs, the future will always be clouded and shrouded by old deeds. Repentance begins at home for individuals and religions alike. The result of the asteroid which God has decided to test us with has been difficult for faiths. Our commitment and resolve has been tested and our ways challenged. It has forced us to address our failings on a grander scale, to relinquish power to those that do not seek it, rather than to those that do, to instigate real transparency and to prevent hidden factions from subverting the decisions and actions of others; something, perhaps, that companies and governments may also do well to adopt in these changing times.

‘God created us all and it is his will that this meteor is set to change all our lives. I pray for people to stay true to the light and not to embrace the darkness that may try to engulf them during the difficult times ahead. God tests us all, every day of our lives, and the coming days and years will be no different. Stay strong in your beliefs and pray to God for all our salvation, be that physical or spiritual.’

‘Thank you, Dr. Mowberry, they were wise words indeed and I think such a change of perspective and stance by the Church of England has seen your attendances surge to unprecedented highs over the last few years; quite a turnaround from the lows seen earlier in the century.’

The camera flicked to a wide angle view of the whole panel and then focused on to Jessica Klein once more. ‘We’ll now hear from our last guest, Mariana Lima from the Global Meteor Response Council, or as we all know it, the GMRC. Thank you for joining us today, Ms. Lima. What kind of organised response can we expect from governments across the world?’

A camera homed in on a smallish olive-skinned woman with jet black hair and an open face. ‘Jessica, it is a pleasure to be on your show and I hope I can help some of your audience understand how the GMRC operates and how it has prepared for Impact Day and beyond. Never before has humanity pulled together its collective resources and skills for one common goal, preparing for the arrival of AG5 and what is, without doubt, the most significant event in the history of the human race; and the most significant for our whole planet since the meteorite that wiped out the dinosaurs sixty-five million years ago.

‘The GMRC has had unilateral support for the last ten years and we have accomplished much in this time. The education of the populace, the analysis of forecast data, the preparing of protocols and processes to be actioned by governments and the UN, in accordance with our modus operandi, which was defined and voted for unanimously by every government on Earth.

‘The main protocols governments the world over will be enforcing include curfews, National Guard deployment, food rationing and water monitoring stations. Curfews will be fully adaptable to side effects of the impact and will ensure civilisation does not collapse due to panic and fear. Governments have been advised that heavy handed tactics have to be utilised for the benefit of all. National Guard and police forces have been trained to enforce curfews and prevent civil unrest, which includes rioting and looting. We all know that rioting occurs from time to time in societies; however, this event may cause mass hysteria on an unprecedented scale. To prevent this from happening, all necessary force can be undertaken by a government to ensure peace is maintained within its borders.’

‘And will this include lethal force?’ Jessica said.

‘It will,’ Mariana Lima replied matter-of-factly. ‘To prevent the breakdown of our way of life it must be upheld by the strictest of laws and lethal force will be the biggest deterrent, and perhaps the only deterrent, for those that may lose a grip on their sanity in the days and years to come.’

‘I think everyone is already used to food rationing,’ Jessica Klein said, ‘but please explain to us why it is necessary and how long will it go on for?’

‘Food rationing is critical in our response to AG5’s strike; without it certain nations may starve and in a worst case scenario we may all become severely malnourished; especially those with an influx of peoples evacuated from the African countries and those in and around the Indian Ocean. Food shortages also result in civil unrest, which is almost a greater threat than the asteroid itself. As I have already iterated, our way of life must be preserved and order cannot give way to chaos. We have many protestors and opponents, as toes have been squarely trodden on in many instances; this, however, cannot weaken our resolve.’