They hung there in the sky, looming over the land ominously, brilliant tails stretching across the horizon for all to see. In better circumstances the sight would be beautiful, breathtaking even, but in this situation, there was only one emotion that could be felt from all who laid eyes upon it.
Gut-wrenching fear.They were simply known as the Twin Doomsday Comets. After years of watching the skies, an comet large enough to cause mass extinction had been discovered in the year XXXX. It was predicted to hit the Aulera[Homeplanet] mere three years from then. At first, the news was kept quiet and only known among world leaders and scientists. When an amateur stargazer found it, however, it broke out into the news, and widespread panic ensued.Much arguing was done over what to do about it. At first, there was talk about sending a nuclear warhead to destroy it. That idea was quickly thrown out, however, as it became apparent that even with our largest nukes we still had no way of destroying it. Other ideas were pitched about deflecting it, aiming high-intensity lasers at it and trying to use the heat generated to alter its course just enough for it to miss the earth. The idea had some merit, and a group of scientists set forth to put the project together.
Years of research was conducted in a matter of months, funded by countries all over the world. Teams of laborers were contracted to construct the device, wars put on hold and soldiers directed to the building site to assist in any way possible. It was our crowning moment, the first time in history that the entire world shoved aside all of its differences and hatred, banding together as one to survive the oncoming threat. In a mere six months, the device was constructed, christened as the Celestial Cannon, and the plan was put into action.
Unfortunately for us, fate had other plans.
Nobody had seen it coming, another object hot on its trails, hidden within the shadow of its brilliant tail. It was the second comet, only slightly smaller in mass, still just as capable of ending our world. When we used the laser, we managed to alter the first one just enough to pass by us. The process had taken a year and a half to complete, but when it moved, the world caught its first real glimpse of its fate.
A plan was immediately set in action to alter its course, but the calculations were off. By the time we realized what was happening, it was far too late. The second one, which would've missed us had we done nothing, had been pulled into a collision course with Aulera. And there was nothing we could do about it.
That was one year ago. Today is the last day on that timer. Come tomorrow, our world ends. Come tomorrow, doomsday begins.
I looked up at the sky, suppressing the urge to shudder as I gazed at the twin comets. It felt strange looking at them like this. They were downright breathtaking, beautiful beyond anything I'd ever seen before. It was as if Death itself had put on its finest for the occasion. Sighing heavily, I returned my gaze to the scene in front of me.
I was waiting in line, holding an I.D. card and a duffle bag. The line was short, laughably short. Thirteen people including myself. Why such an odd number, I had no idea, but out of the billions that lived on this planet, out of the hundreds that sat just outside, only a handful would have a chance at survival. And I was one of them.
Behind me, a full scale riot was in progress. Cries for help echoed through the chaos, people pleading for their lives, fighting to try to get into our line. Someone had set fire to one of the trash bins just outside the gates, and every once and a while a shot ring out. I cringed every time it happened. It was ironic in a terrible way. The guards that had once protected the people were now firing upon them. Perhaps that in its own way was a form of protection. Had these people actually made it through the gates, I doubt anyone would make it out alive. That said, I didn't have to like it. Not one bit.
I couldn't help but feel a stab of shame. When I'd received the letter with my card and instructions, the relief I felt was overwhelming. I was so damn happy to find out that I was going to survive this mess, I remember cracking out a beer and celebrating. In the weeks leading up to today, however, I began to seriously wonder why they had chosen me above others. I was an engineer, one with a fair amount of ability, but surely they had someone better suited to the job than me. That said, I couldn't bring myself to refuse. I wanted to live, just like anyone else, and if they thought I could ensure the continued existence of the human race, I wasn't going to argue with them.
"It sounds like things are getting pretty heated out there." said one of the men next to me, an elder, greying gentleman dressed in a business suit. "Can't say I really blame them. If I were in their shoes, and thirty years younger, I'd probably be right there with them."
"I'm surprised they haven't broken through that gate yet." I replied, looking back as another shot rang out in the air. "In fact, I'm beginning to wonder why the guards aren't joining them. Don't they know what's going to happen to them?"
"They know exactly what's going to happen." replied the old man, a sad smile on his face. "They aren't here because they were hoping to hitch a ride with us. They came here to ensure humanity survives. A good friend of mine made sure to interview every single one of them. Said these are the most trustworthy and dutiful soldiers he'd ever had the privilege of knowing."
I quirked an eyebrow at this. Clearly the man was someone important.
Sensing the question, the old man laughed, offering out his hand.
"The name is Collin Reeves, head of the Department of Foreign Affairs. Apparently I've made a name for myself in orchestrating the global cooperation in the construction of the Celestial cannon. Normally I'd refuse such an offer, but my wife and daughter managed to convince me to take it up. "Someone needs to keep everyone from killing each other when they wake up" they said. So here I am."
I nodded silently, shaking the man's hand. He looked up into the sky, finding the same sight I was just moments ago looking at, a look of deep contemplation on his face. I let him have his moment, unsure of what to say to the hidden implication. He was leaving his family to their fate, something that probably bothered him greatly. I couldn't really relate seeing as I had no surviving family members, but I could certainly respect it.
After a few minutes of silence, he shook himself from his thoughts, offering me a smile.
"So, what's your story kid? The fact that you have one of those cards means that you're someone important. What do you do?"
I scoffed, looking back at the I.D.
"To be honest, I'm really not sure why they gave me one. I'm an engineer, I tinker around with gadgets. I'm pretty decent at what I do, but it's not like I'm something important like a leader or something."
Collin quirked an eyebrow at me.
"That's pretty damn useful if you ask me. Politicians aren't the only thing we're going to need when we wake up. When we come to, we're going to need someone with a good grasp of machines. Not like there's going to be much of it left in the world when we get back."
I merely nodded.
"By the way, what's your name kid?"
"Mathew Kane."
Collin's jaw dropped.
"THE Mathew Kane? You're the one who designed the schematics for the Celestial Canon! Those plans were years beyond our technology!"
"Err… yeah, that's me." I muttered, shifting uncomfortably. I never have been all that great at taking compliments.
"I thought you'd be older. What are you 20?"
"22."
"Kid, you've got a bright future ahead of you." mused Collin, smirking.
"That's if we really survive this." I muttered, glancing nervously at the giant metal gate in front of me. Collin merely laughed, looking back up at the numbers painted on the giant gate.
"Let me guess, you're the superstitious type?" he joked.
"Not normally, but when my survival depends on it, I get a bit nervous when I see things like this." I replied.
"Haha. Well personally, I find that this little number has brought me more luck than any other." replied Collin. Turning towards me, he made a dramatic gesture.
"Allow me to officially welcome you to Vault Thirteen."
The inside of the vault was pretty comfortable looking. I was surprised to notice that it was well furnished, almost to a point of luxury. I scoffed at the idea, not really comfortable with the thought of being in such a nice place when things above ground were about to take a dire turn for the worst.
"Not a big fan of fancy living, huh?" mused Collin, as he took a seat on one of the armchairs. "Neither am I. Don't get used to seeing this stuff. Most of these furnishings are going to deteriorate before we even come to. I told those idiots back in congress to give us something more durable to the effects of time, but they didn't want to hear it. Couldn't have people of importance bruising their asses on metal chairs."
I smirked at the comment. I was beginning to really like this old man. The two of us laughed as the rest of the group took their seats, a few of them giving us odd glances. Lazily, I looked at the people in the room. Most of them were well dressed, making me shift uncomfortably in my raggy street clothes. One man looked like some politician that I'd seen in the news, a governor if I remembered correctly. Another lady, dressed in business attire, looked like she'd never once seen a day of work, and one particular man looked like he probably knew over a hundred ways to kill a man.
I muttered inwardly to myself, shaking my head. The future of our world depended on a motley crew that resembled the cast of Gilligan's Island. Hopefully the other vaults were a little better staffed than ours.
"Can I have your attention please?" came a voice from the left. A young woman, roughly a couple years older than me and dressed in a white lab coat, walked into the room holding a clipboard. "I'd like to get started briefing you all on the procedure you are about to take part in. As you probably know by now, this facility is located several miles underground. The effects of the impact will not be felt down here, but living over an extended period of time will prove to be highly difficult. As such, we have decided to place you all in a cryogenic freezing chamber."
I raised an eyebrow at this, listening as some of the others started murmuring in worried tones. Cryogenic freezing? I didn't think we were at such a state that we could achieve it yet. Still, I myself had achieved something nobody had ever dreamed of. If they really had the technology, I wouldn't be too surprised.
"I know this leaves some questions as to your safety, but I assure you that we've taken every precaution to ensure your survival. This facility is powered by a nuclear fusion reactor, one that will be able to sustain itself for several thousand years unmanned. You will be frozen for about one to two thousand years, by which point the atmosphere and surface of the world should be habitable again. Once you emerge, instructions will be issued on how to establish a new settlement. Everything you need is here, including a breeding laboratory for restoring specific farm animals, a stockpile of seeds for various crops, tools, and building materials to get you started. Come, I'll show you around the facility"
About half an hour later, we were in a large circular chamber. Thirteen freezing chambers lined the walls, primed and ready to go. Having slipped into my jumpsuit, I groaned as I looked at the number on my jacket.
"Vault thirteen, chamber thirteen." chuckled Collin. "Looks like you're batting a thousand kid. I'm telling you, that number is the most lucky number I know of."
"If you like it so much, why don't you trade with me?" I muttered.
"Nah, I'm fine with good old four. Besides, I think you can do with some solid luck. You're young and bright. Me…." A sad glint entered his eyes "I'm old and past my days of glory."
"It's time." said one of the guards, motioning us towards the freezing chambers.
Climbing into my chamber, I sat nervously as one of the attendants got me situated, attaching various wires and IV lines to me. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, they moved out of the chamber and the glass doors came sliding down. I chanced a glance at Collin, and he gave me the thumbs up. Cracking a smile, I returned the gesture.
See you on the flip side buddy.
Suddenly, a blast of freezing cold air hit me. I barely had time to register it before the world went dark, my mind fading out of existence.
Im accepted?