"That is, or was, the Hoover Dam. Every city, town and residence downriver of this washed away. Because of the speed of the unanticipated flooding, there was no way to evacuate or escape. The damage I've shown you in these videos extends worldwide. It is easy to imagine millions of people lost their lives to these disasters. Plus, the deaths and illness from nuclear radiation could double that number by creating unseen death zones that will continue to kill anyone who wanders into those areas.
"You can see their choice of targets is so wide ranging, they left nothing to chance. They removed all significant power sources: fossil fuel, nuclear, and natural. They destroyed raw resource storage and extraction points: oil refineries and wells, coal stores and mines, and even our largest steel plants and foundries. Whatever power and resources that still exist out there, will be absconded and protected, and not necessarily by government or companies. With the lack of communication and mayhem, resource stores could easily be taken by an organized criminal element or private militia. We've been running probability and statistics, as well as human behavioral analysis the last few hours, and the Barge believes what I've shown you is not the Grey's end result."
"Isn't what the Greys were intending obvious in the videos? They wanted to destroy our power and resources." states the major.
Sandy agrees, "Yes, the videos show that, but what you see is their chosen method to achieve their outcome. Within a week, humanity will struggle with starvation, dehydration, sanitation contamination and mass migrations. There is no way any central authority can deal with this because there is no way for them to communicate with the masses, nor do they have the resources to send aid. There will be a massive reduction of world human population. I'm not talking only hunger, thirst, disease or untreated medical conditions. Humans are a predatory survival species. Those who manage to stay alive will fight and kill other humans to get the food and water they need to keep alive. This was the Grey's intent."
"That's what your statistical team came up with?" asks Dr. Lost.
Sandy shakes her head, "No, that was our behavioral analysis. Our statistics team determined that in twenty-eight days, the world population will decline by fifty-two percent. Since it's the end of the summer and headed toward fall and winter in the northern hemisphere, any northern population outside a tropical zone won't be able to plant or grow new food crops, and wildlife is too sparse in modern time for hunting to be a viable option. Eighty-eight percent of the world's population inhabits the northern hemisphere, with forty-four percent north of twenty-seven degrees. Therefore, an additional twenty-four percent in the north will die within forty-eight days. The arid regions and coastal communities, along with the high poverty inhabiting many of the southern hemisphere nations, will suffer severe water shortages from either no water or contaminated water, trimming the population an additional eleven percent in that same timeframe. And of those who do not succumb to starvation or thirst by the end of the year, six percent more will die of injuries, violent disputes, or fighting for remaining resources. Only seven percent of the world's population will be alive by the end of the year.
"Human numbers will continue to drop over the next two years, at which time it is possible that stabilization may occur from the rise of an agricultural culture and rudimentary society governance. That is if humanity faces no further obstacles. However, the Grey's desire to re-inhabit the Earth's surface is an obstacle. Humanity will be too broken, decentralized, impoverished, and few in numbers to put up any resistance. Their plan is to exterminate us, by setting an environment where we do most the culling ourselves."
"Can't we do anything to contribute or counter? This facility has power here, water, and our own food source. Can't we help form a civilian resistance? Work with the military?" questions Major Reese.
Sandy gets quiet for a moment, reluctant to say what she is about to. "You and the Committee are welcome to do anything you deem right or a proper reaction. However, we at the Barge recommend the opposite. Not only has the Grey actions crippled humanity, but will also reveal anything they missed. They are aware humans built hidden bases, compounds and military centers. If you operate at full power, chances are they will find your power and heat signature, and this base will not remain hidden. If you send out supply chains or regular patrols by vehicle or craft while the rest of the world is out of fuel, that traffic will get noticed. The Greys understand humanity well. They know we hide our most powerful and biggest secrets, and they will want to find them, because that is the only resistance left."
Burt jumps in, "Wait a minute. I appreciate the Barge's input, Sandy, but I don't you think you should make recommendations to the Committee on how we handle operations."
"Forgive me if I overstepped. The Greys overran four of your hidden bunkers, if I am correct. We conjecture the Greys realized it was the Committee who struck their deep-sea base. The Barge's recommendations aren't instructions, rather suggestions of concern. Your Committee is one of the few groups in the world the Barge and Captain Nemolopolus trust. We hope that your dedication to action doesn't lead to your destruction."
"What about our hybrid program? Can't we at least get another spy in and strike back, or steal tech we can use to get humanity back on track?" asks Dr. Black.
Burt responds somberly, "No. I had videos I was planning to show, provided by our field scouts, but after Sandy's presentation, viewing more destruction is redundant. They showed the migrating Grey skin spawn hybrids to central locations, which were the destroyed utility plants. Mr. Nix thought they were amassing the hybrids to take control of these facilities. He was wrong.
"At every location, the Greys killed their hybrids. We are assuming they killed Agent Eighteen, since he was joining up with the hybrids. One location the spawns gathered was the Hoover Dam, and you saw the result. I am certain they destroyed all of their spawn hybrids, including the ones they had in their colonies, because they realized we used a hybrid spy to infiltrate and destroy their deep-sea colony. By eliminating the skin spawns, the Greys remove any possibility we could use that tactic again. That is why I believe they came up with this attack plan. Since they could no longer use hybrids as ground forces to attack humanity without endangering themselves, they created a situation where humanity destroys itself. And from what I see of everything Sandy has presented, they succeeded."
"What about Nineteen? We are finishing up his training. He was getting ready to go out into the field," wonders Dr. Lost.
"If he leaves this base now, if not killed by Greys, humans will kill him. Dr. Black, my understanding is there is no way to convert him back to being human, correct?" asks Burt.
"It would take the living flesh and organs from two humans to revert back. I had no problem killing skin spawns to transform our spies, but I won't kill two innocent humans to convert a spy back, that is, if we even could succeed at reversing the procedure. It is a one-way process."
Burt rubs his face in frustration, "It may be necessary to put Nineteen down. Nineteen may kill himself if we tell him the reality of his circumstance. Or he could remain here for the rest of his life, doing maintenance or security work. Some staff might not socialize with him or accept his appearance. At best, Agent Nineteen faces a life of isolation and loneliness."
Walter speaks, "We aren't the only ones making hard choices. There were other secret operations backed by Dark Projects, and private organization, which were to prepare small groups of people to launch into space on long-range transport ships with the intent to find other habitable places in outer space where humanity might continue and flourish. Those projects were set to launch if Earth's survival was ever in danger, and current events qualify. They had to choose who will wander in space and maybe never find a home, or be left behind and face annihilation. Those escape rockets should have launched by now."
Sandy's voice sounds heavy as she interrupts, "Walter, you reminded me of something I forgot to show you. We, the scientists on the Barge, designed the EM drive engines that propel those spacec
raft arks. As part of our research arrangement, we had launch feeds connect to their rockets and launchpads so we could observe when the ship reached outer orbit and fired up the EM drives. Those piloting could communicate directly with us if there were issues. I have a launch recording here."
She opens one more video file. It shows the ground opening. A nosecone peeks out as smoke plumes billow. As the cone rises, it reveals a massive ship as large as a skyscraper. Attached to the four corners are four booster rockets, each the size of standard NASA rocket. As the ship exits the opening and rises from the ground, the flaming booster rockets lift it higher and higher into the sky, approaching clouds. The camera shot then changes to one showing the rocket's viewpoint. Like a blur, a Grey craft appears and catches up to the ship. Within feet of the rocket's hull, the Grey craft runs parallel. With the Grey craft at its side, the rocket arcs from its upward movement toward the horizon. The Grey craft moves with the rocket as if the two ships are connected. The Grey craft turns the rocket on a downward trajectory toward the ground. Disconnecting its invisible link, the Grey craft races off. The rocket continues toward the Earth, smashing to the ground, bursting into a fireball.
"United States wasn't the only country that built interstellar arks, and this wasn't the only one in the US, but there is no reason to believe that any of the launches succeeded. Some launches were attempting to get satellites into orbit, and not arks. We don't believe the Greys were aware this was an escape ark. It is a reasonable assumption the Greys intend to ground any human rockets en route to the outer atmosphere or orbit."
Burt rubs his temples like a headache is coming on, "Look, I need to take a sixty-minute break. We have more to discuss, but I need to absorb everything Sandy presented. Our mission might be...I just need to think. Everyone back here in an hour. Someone here, please aid Sandy if she needs to use our personal facilities."
Overwhelmed, Burt walks out of the room. Everyone remains quiet and uncomfortable.
The Dispersion
Chapter 27
Conference Room, Colorado Mountain Facility.
Burt enters carrying a large stack of folders. Everyone from the earlier meeting sits around the table, watching as Burt circles to his chair. But instead of sitting, Burt stands behind the chair, placing the folders on the table. His head bows, staring at the folders. Then taking a deep breath, he looks around the room.
"The first thing I did when I left here is go back to Mr. Nix's office and remind myself of the Committee's mission, and what my commitment to the Committee was. The founding purpose of the Committee was to investigate and protect humanity from any malevolent forces and technology, be it alien, divine or our own shortsightedness. I am still committed to the Committee, however, without hearing from any Committee leadership, I am deciding on my own that the Committee's mission is obsolete.
"We failed to prevent the attack of the Greys. I believe Sandy's recommendation is correct. We need to lie low, keep a minimal power and traffic signature, prepare this facility for the long haul, and refocus our research. We lack the capacity to attack the Greys directly, or covertly. But we have the ability to survive, produce food, house operational laboratories and possess fabrication capabilities to oppose the Greys over the long run.
"Mr. Nix should be the one making this decision. However, I cannot say when he will return, if he will return, or if then it will be too late for any of you to choose what I am about to offer you. I searched Mr. Nix's files and compiled in these folders the last known addresses of families, relatives and friends for each of you, and for everyone in this facility. It is available for those of you who wish to use it."
"The Committee tracked our families?" ask Major Reese.
"The Committee figured if ever any of you disappeared in the field or went AWOL, chances are you would visit or reach out to the people in these files. These lists were more for the Committee than the personnel. Any of you are welcome to leave your service to the Committee at this time, without ramification, and join your loved ones. I offer this because I understand it may be hard for you to hide away in here while people you care for are out there fighting to survive. There is no way to tell if any of us will survive this, even in here, so you should weigh the option where and with whom you want to spend what may be our apocalypse.
"If you wish to leave, you will need to notify me within the next twenty-four hours so I can arrange transports to get you near your destination. If you stay, I will need your help."
"Do you know what you are doing? You are offering to dissolve this place without the Committee or Mr. Nix's approval," states Major Reese.
"I am aware, but I believe the only way this facility will stay cohesive and operational is if everyone wants to be here. Morale will sink fast if any of you preoccupy yourselves worrying about what your loved ones are facing out there while safe in here. Especially since you haven't seen any of them since joining the Committee. Up to now, you could take solace they were living normal lives while you were in here protecting them from unseen dangers. But that is no longer the case. Those dangers are now present, and we are neither protecting nor preserving humanity if we turn our backs without thought or consideration. In the rest of these folders is the same information for those who serve under each of you. I want you to make that same offer to your subordinates."
Mr. Axus asks, "What are you going to do if most the people want to leave? There needs to be a minimum staff to keep this place running."
"I'll deal with that when the time comes. And I'll face the Committee if they reprimand me for my actions. But if most people here want to leave, this place will fail if I force them to stay. If any of you already know that you will want to leave, you can tell me now."
"I understand you are in a difficult position, Professor Stone. Having to step up and take command under nothing less than the direst of circumstances. But, with all due respect, I am not comfortable making this decision without Mr. Nix or Colonel Kaliber present. We should spend the next forty-eight hours doing everything in our power to find them and bring them back to us," says Major Reese.
"I respect your position, Major. The moment our communications went down, I began thinking about how to recall them from the field. Spend twelve straight hours talking to our transport and communications personnel, reviewing the data coming in on what was happening, and reading the Committee's and Mr. Nix's protocols on such emergencies.
"Let me recap, so that none of you doubt why I am doing this. It was early on with the data coming in that the Committee speculated the Grey attacks focused on power generation and fuel supplies. Nix's and Kaliber's field operation was at a power plant. The only form of communication that we can receive from Nix or Kaliber is shortwave. This facility's shortwave transmitter is on, and it will continue to be on. I want Mr. Nix back. I don't want to be up here turning every one of your worlds inside out at the same time the outer world has turned upside down.
"The reality is Nix and Kaliber did not make it back to the airport for pickup, so the plane came back without them, as is protocol if they didn't return within four hours of the designated time. The backup plan if they didn't make it to the airport in time was for them to drive back to this or another Committee post. If they are still out there, and I sure as hell hope they are, they are caught up in the chaos surrounding them."
"Can't we track them?" asks Dr. Black.
"When agents or commanders are on Grey field assignments, regulations forbid them to carry or activate trackers. That was a rule put in place by Mr. Nix himself. If we can track them, so can the Greys. I even considered sending out patrols to find them, but the possibilities of where they are is too vast. They could be at their stake-out location in Georgia, somewhere between Georgia and Colorado, or delayed trying to reach the central offices in Washington DC. They might be on a military base, but unable to access the base's communication network. For now, they are on their own. And so are we."
There is a dead moment in the room as reality sinks in.
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Sandy speaks out. "Since you are crossing onto matters that only pertain to the Committee, I should be on my way. Professor Tomb and Dr. Black, you want to collect your personal items so we can depart."
While Walter says nothing, both Dr. Black and Burt look at Sandy and say, "What?"
Taken aback, Sandy turns to Walter, "Walter? Want to help me out here? Walter was the one who requested us to pick him up. We informed him we wanted...needed Dr. Black to join him."
Burt asks, "Walter, why didn't you mention this to..."
Dr. Black attaches, "Did you agree for me to do something?"
All eyes are on Walter, who addresses Burt, "I never mentioned it because if the Barge didn't find the radiation signature left for them from the future, Captain Nemolopolus could have decided against picking me up. If they came for me after finding the marker, it means both Dr. Black and I will join them."
Dr. Black questions the logic, "That makes no sense. I can't agree to something I don't know about. I mean, Captain Nemolopolus asked me to join, but I didn't agree."
Burt adds, "Walter, I never side against you in conversation, but what are you not telling us?"
"Time, Burt, it's time that revealed this. The future."
"Walter, don't tell me you've been messing with the continuum on your own. Why do something that affects us all and not include anyone else?"
"I haven't yet, Burt, but I will. We need to create a compressing time loop. I want to use it to send the finished findings and results of technology from the future to the past. We must speed up our technological progress so we can create something usable against the Greys. If we don't do this...you heard Sandy...humanity's rapid degradation and depopulation will turn us into a simple agricultural society trying to survive, hunted by a superior species.
"Burt, Sandy found the marker I left for the Barge from the future. I will create a dimensi0nal transmitter capable of sending information into the past. The marker was a radiation signature on a sea formation at the North Pole. The only way I could have created that marker is if I join the Barge crew and build a transmitter to send information back. And since the Barge needs Dr. Black's expertise, she must have agreed to join. Dr. Black, I know this sounds strange, out of your control, but you will go with me to the Barge."
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