Short, Light, Free
/ Short, Light, Free Chapter 81
"Wait for me to what?" I asked .
Laughter erupted from the opposite side . "I've been observing for three whole months now . . . "
"Three months?" I repeated, thinking through the recent happenings .
It wasn't surprising for people in my line of work to attract enemies, especially when I tell those burly fellows that they were going to die the next day . They would argue and curse non-stop .
Even after their deaths, their family and friends would continue haunting me .
Some were even convinced that I was the cause of the tragedy .
As such, I developed the habit of collecting payment before speaking .
There were many potential clients but I would only receive two to three of them a month .
And the so-called endless interviews . . . I would only accept one in two months just to keep my business warm .
As for the television program, I didn't expect something like that to happen .
The person in the front of the car continued, "Eight years ago, after graduation, you started revealing your ability . You were working in a factory while telling fortune part-time . You predicted many fortunes accurately, telling them they were all going to die soon . I remember it was your 16th client that brought you to fame . An old man of 101 years consulted you and you told him that he could live till 109 . The last time he visited you was about a year ago, when you informed him that he had only a few more months left and that he shouldn't look for you again . From then on, your reputation as Supernova started booming . "
I clenched my teeth . This guy knew a lot about me .
"What are you trying to say?" I asked .
"Supernova, sir, exactly what powers do you have? How are you able to predict death?"
"It's just what I do . Is it very strange?"
"Let me analyze your ability then," he replied faintly .
With a cold smile, I continued, "Seems like you've done a thorough investigation, but why don't you know my place of residence? You could've found me directly . Why did you have to frighten my father?"
"Because he was the one who provided me with some important information . How else would I know that there had been a cat involved before this? Of course, instead of talking, the cat would lie on the dying patient's bed . Yet, not only can you tell, you can even roughly predict the time of death . "
"How detailed . Don't tell me that you're sending me to read the fortune of a big figure? Like a gang leader or the president? Well, here's what I can tell you - in a few hours, everyone will be dead . "
The two soldiers closest to me shuddered . I could sense their fear .
"You've calculated that?" the man on the front seat asked nervously .
I was stunned by his question . Calculated?
They know? So it's all true? Everything that I've seen?
"I thought you just
wanted to know if I can predict death? Why are you so surprised by what I just said?" I questioned .
The man actually smiled . "I'm a scientist so everything requires objective evidence . After all, you're a safe bet in our Plan B . With or without you, there isn't much difference . "
A safe bet in Plan B? Not much difference?
"Why bother taking me then?"
"I'm a scientist, Mr . Supernova . Frankly speaking, I don't believe in what you do since it's not something science can explain, but since the whole human race is at stake, I would appreciate if you can be more cooperative . "
"You want cooperation?" I asked .
"Of course . For the human race . "
"So you get your soldiers to point their guns at me to require my cooperation? What ever happened to just saying 'pretty please'?" I mocked .
"You can make requests but I can't take any of them away . They belong to the military and they are not under my control . "
"Tell me why the world is about to end . I only know that everyone has less than a day left," I stated .
After a few seconds of silence, he asked, "Do you know Apophis?"
"No," I answered .
"It is an asteroid that's about to hit Earth . It will reach our atmosphere in about 14 hours . What we need to do now is intercept it . We took you just in case we need your help . "
"Wait . The world is ending in about 14 hours and you spent some of that valuable time waiting for me at my Dad's place . Now, you keep repeating that I'm unimportant? That's very hypocritical of you," I mused laughingly .
"Our psychologists had predicted that you would make a trip home before the end of the world . " He paused . "I have a call, give me a moment . . . "
After half an hour on the phone, he asked me angrily, "When did you announce it to the world?"
"An hour and a half ago . What about it?"
"An hour ago, some scientists and astronomy enthusiasts came out to verify your prediction . The whole world, including the governments of other countries, is looking for you right now," he stated .
I was in shock . Whitewashed so quickly?
The car came to a halt and the soldiers got off .
A white-gowned scientist came to the back . "Let's go, my Supernova . "
He was the one on the front seat .
Without a choice, I got down, and three soldiers followed behind me, pushing me to a museum .
The museum had been converted into a temporary meeting room . There were many people inside, facing their monitors, busily typing away .
The scientist spoke up, "Government officials from all over the world are aware of your ability . If the world doesn't end, you're probably going to be locked up and reduced to an experimental subject, Mr . Supernova . But if you can help us save mankind, I promise that the next half of your
your life will be safeguarded . "
I had nothing to say to that .
Inside the room, all I saw were monitors and employees .
I was allocated a seat .
On the stage stood a person – our very own president .
"Why did he choose this place?" I asked the scientist .
He smiled . "This is just a control room . The real operation is going on in all corners of the world . This is merely a projection . Don't you know about Crypton Future Media? Holographic projection technology? That's what the president is using to instruct everybody . "
"That works?" I asked .
The holographic figure of the president pointed at me . "You're Mr . Supernova?"
"What the f*ck?" I yelped . "He can see me?"
"Of course . He's in the capital, launching a meeting through hundreds of projections from all over the world . It's easier this way," the scientist explained .
"It's about time . Good to see you, Mr . Supernova . Do you know why you're here?" the president asked .
I shook my head .
"Haven't you made it clear, Professor Doug? We don't have much time left . I'll give you five minutes," the president rushed .
"There are 50 spacecraft in our formation, and a commander-in-chief will lead the operation to deviate Apophis's trajectory . You'll need to use your ability to let us know whether the earth is safe," he explained .
"I understand, but what am I supposed to do?" I clarified .
The scientist looked at me, wide-eyed . "You're asking me ? How would I know your trick to predicting death?"
"Can I use the equipment here?" I asked .
"You're saying that your prediction requires the tools here? Which one? Telephone or the net?"
I pointed at the projection of the president . "I need that holographic image . "
"Are you nuts?" the scientist raised his voice .
"Do you trust my ability or not? I need that," I told him firmly .
"You . . . fine! Wait here," he said .
"What are you going to do?" I called out .
"Give the president a call . We have the instrument but we will need his approval before connecting it to the Internet . Wait for me . "
I heard the scientist sighing throughout the few minutes of exchange before ending the call with, "I'm sure of his ability . "
He came back and announced, "Go ahead, he's agreed . "
The president looked at me before speaking, "I'll give you
give you control, Mr . Supernova . What else do you need?"
I sighed before standing up and walking to the platform . "Do we have embassies all around the world?"
"What do you need them for?" he asked .
I got up the stage and the scientist had me put on a headgear .
What I saw were tons of meeting rooms and a research center .
"Can I request all embassies to select young people, free from illnesses and diseases, to stand in front of me?"
"Give us five minutes . "
I waited and tried shutting one eye at a time .
The people in the projected image all looked like Mom .
Then, the image before me switched to one of many differently-colored youngsters but they, too, looked like Mom .
"These are employees from respective embassies," the president noted .
I removed the headgear and asked, "Can anyone give me a plaster?"
I received one from the scientist .
I opened it and pasted the plaster over my right eye before putting the headgear back on .
"You can start your program . "
"Nothing else you need?" the president asked .
"Yeah, let them work . I'm not sure about your plan but I can only tell you that your embassies are safe . Do you understand that?"
Understanding my meaning, the president instructed, "Execute Plan B . "
"What's plan A?" I asked curiously .
"To launch 11 nuclear warheads toward Apophis . The impact that the exploded fragments would bring to Earth is much less destructive and the world won't end at least," the scientist explained quietly .
I shut my mouth .
Just then, a thick manly voice sounded from behind, "All the spacecraft are in position . Please take the lead . "
I figured he must be the commander-in-chief or the pilot .
"Start the operation . Please provide a report on the current situation, Mr . Supernova," the president ordered .
All I saw were Moms . All over the hundreds of screens .
Seconds passed and I saw that one of Moms had turned into a young man .
Shortly after, more and more Moms turned into young men and women .
I started using my finger to swipe those people who were about to revert to their normal selves to the right .
One, two .
One group, two groups .
"Those on the right are safe?" the president questioned .
"Those on the extreme right are safe from the end of the world," I replied .
I could hear a round of cheers rising from the backstage and within the room .
I continued separating the virtual monitors and finally, amidst all the densely packed screens, I saw an obvious dividing line . There were tens of virtual video frames on the left side of the dividing line .
A voice came from behind, "Those on the left are employees of North America's embassy . "
I sighed . "How's the situation up there?"
The thick voice resumed, "The spacecrafts have overheated and our instruments are not functioning properly . We've already lost connection with at least ten spacecrafts . I'm afraid they're gone . "
I noticed that some of the screens on the right were once again filled with Mom's faces .
I shouted urgently, "Did you guys alter the operation? Return to your previous direction . You've pulled the asteroid back! Don't act recklessly!"
"But it's way too hot so I had them adjust slightly . Tell me if I'm heading in the right direction . We're depending on you, Mr . Supernova," the thick, manly voice sounded .
"No, more people are going to die!"
"Yes! The opposite direction . Continue down this path!"
I could feel sweat pouring down my forehead .
"Wait, didn't you say that you lost connection with some of them? Show me the faces of the pilots controlling the spacecraft," I demanded .
Faces started appearing before me . All Moms .
"I see death in your faces, brothers, but please try your best . The earth will be safe soon," I told them .
Voices responded unharmoniously but with the same words: "For Earth . "
I saw Moms disappearing from other sets of screens .
I pushed them over to the right side . Two more left .
"These two embassies? Is there something wrong with those regions?" the president asked .
"The earth should be fine but these two should make a trip to the hospital . You two might only have a few more months to live," I added .
They looked about 30% similar to Mom at that point .
More cheers erupted as the screens with the pilots started disconnecting one by one .
I removed my headgear and looked at everyone in the room .
I couldn't smile .
"You did it, Mr . Supernova," I heard the president's soft voice coming from the headgear .
I sighed before correcting him with a small voice, "They did it . "
Wait for me to what I asked . Laughter erupted from the opposite side . I 39 ve been observing for three whole months now . . . Three months I repeated, thinking through the recent happenings . It wasn 39 t surprising for people in my line of work to attract enemies, especially when I tell those burly fellows that they were going to die the next day . They would argue and curse non stop . Even after their deaths, their family and friends would continue haunting me . Some were even convinced that I was the cause of the tragedy . As such, I developed the habit of collecting payment before speaking . There were many potential clients but I would only receive two to three of them a month . And the so called endless interviews . . . I would only accept one in two months just to keep my business warm . As for the television program, I didn 39 t expect something like that to happen . The person in the front of the car continued, Eight years ago, after graduation, you started revealing your ability . You were working in a factory while telling fortune part time . You predicted many fortunes accurately, telling them they were all going to die soon . I remember it was your 16th client that brought you to fame . An old man of 101 years consulted you and you told him that he could live till 109 . The last time he visited you was about a year ago, when you informed him that he had only a few more months left and that he shouldn 39 t look for you again . From then on, your reputation as Supernova started booming . I clenched my teeth . This guy knew a lot about me . What are you trying to say I asked . Supernova, sir, exactly what powers do you have How are you able to predict death It 39 s just what I do . Is it very strange Let me analyze your ability then, he replied faintly . With a cold smile, I continued, Seems like you 39 ve done a thorough investigation, but why don 39 t you know my place of residence You could 39 ve found me directly . Why did you have to frighten my father Because he was the one who provided me with some important information . How else would I know that there had been a cat involved before this Of course, instead of talking, the cat would lie on the dying patient 39 s bed . Yet, not only can you tell, you can even roughly predict the time of death . How detailed . Don 39 t tell me that you 39 re sending me to read the fortune of a big figure Like a gang leader or the president Well, here 39 s what I can tell you in a few hours, everyone will be dead . The two soldiers closest to me shuddered . I could sense their fear . You 39 ve calculated that the man on the front seat asked nervously . I was stunned by his question . Calculated They know So it 39 s all true Everything that I 39 ve seen I thought you just wanted to know if I can predict death Why are you so surprised by what I just said I questioned . The man actually smiled . I 39 m a scientist so everything requires objective evidence . After all, you 39 re a safe bet in our Plan B . With or without you, there isn 39 t much difference . A safe bet in Plan B Not much difference Why bother taking me then I 39 m a scientist, Mr . Supernova . Frankly speaking, I don 39 t believe in what you do since it 39 s not something science can explain, but since the whole human race is at stake, I would appreciate if you can be more cooperative . You want cooperation I asked . Of course . For the human race . So you get your soldiers to point their guns at me to require my cooperation What ever happened to just saying 39 pretty please 39 I mocked . You can make requests but I can 39 t take any of them away . They belong to the military and they are not under my control . Tell me why the world is about to end . I only know that everyone has less than a day left, I stated . After a few seconds of silence, he asked, Do you know Apophis No, I answered . It is an asteroid that 39 s about to hit Earth . It will reach our atmosphere in about 14 hours . What we need to do now is intercept it . We took you just in case we need your help . Wait . The world is ending in about 14 hours and you spent some of that valuable time waiting for me at my Dad 39 s place . Now, you keep repeating that I 39 m unimportant That 39 s very hypocritical of you, I mused laughingly . Our psychologists had predicted that you would make a trip home before the end of the world . He paused . I have a call, give me a moment . . . After half an hour on the phone, he asked me angrily, When did you announce it to the world An hour and a half ago . What about it An hour ago, some scientists and astronomy enthusiasts came out to verify your prediction . The whole world, including the governments of other countries, is looking for you right now, he stated . I was in shock . Whitewashed so quickly The car came to a halt and the soldiers got off . A white gowned scientist came to the back . Let 39 s go, my Supernova . He was the one on the front seat . Without a choice, I got down, and three soldiers followed behind me, pushing me to a museum . The museum had been converted into a temporary meeting room . There were many people inside, facing their monitors, busily typing away . The scientist spoke up, Government officials from all over the world are aware of your ability . If the world doesn 39 t end, you 39 re probably going to be locked up and reduced to an experimental subject, Mr . Supernova . But if you can help us save mankind, I promise that the next half of your life will be safeguarded . I had nothing to say to that . Inside the room, all I saw were monitors and employees . I was allocated a seat . On the stage stood a person our very own president . Why did he choose this place I asked the scientist . He smiled . This is just a control room . The real operation is going on in all corners of the world . This is merely a projection . Don 39 t you know about Crypton Future Media Holographic projection technology That 39 s what the president is using to instruct everybody . That works I asked . The holographic figure of the president pointed at me . You 39 re Mr . Supernova What the f ck I yelped . He can see me Of course . He 39 s in the capital, launching a meeting through hundreds of projections from all over the world . It 39 s easier this way, the scientist explained . It 39 s about time . Good to see you, Mr . Supernova . Do you know why you 39 re here the president asked . I shook my head . Haven 39 t you made it clear, Professor Doug We don 39 t have much time left . I 39 ll give you five minutes, the president rushed . There are 50 spacecraft in our formation, and a commander in chief will lead the operation to deviate Apophis 39 s trajectory . You 39 ll need to use your ability to let us know whether the earth is safe, he explained . I understand, but what am I supposed to do I clarified . The scientist looked at me, wide eyed . You 39 re asking me How would I know your trick to predicting death Can I use the equipment here I asked . You 39 re saying that your prediction requires the tools here Which one Telephone or the net I pointed at the projection of the president . I need that holographic image . Are you nuts the scientist raised his voice . Do you trust my ability or not I need that, I told him firmly . You . . . fine Wait here, he said . What are you going to do I called out . Give the president a call . We have the instrument but we will need his approval before connecting it to the Internet . Wait for me . I heard the scientist sighing throughout the few minutes of exchange before ending the call with, I 39 m sure of his ability . He came back and announced, Go ahead, he 39 s agreed . The president looked at me before speaking, I 39 ll give you control, Mr . Supernova . What else do you need I sighed before standing up and walking to the platform . Do we have embassies all around the world What do you need them for he asked . I got up the stage and the scientist had me put on a headgear . What I saw were tons of meeting rooms and a research center . Can I request all embassies to select young people, free from illnesses and diseases, to stand in front of me Give us five minutes . I waited and tried shutting one eye at a time . The people in the projected image all looked like Mom . Then, the image before me switched to one of many differently colored youngsters but they, too, looked like Mom . These are employees from respective embassies, the president noted . I removed the headgear and asked, Can anyone give me a plaster I received one from the scientist . I opened it and pasted the plaster over my right eye before putting the headgear back on . You can start your program . Nothing else you need the president asked . Yeah, let them work . I 39 m not sure about your plan but I can only tell you that your embassies are safe . Do you understand that Understanding my meaning, the president instructed, Execute Plan B . What 39 s plan A I asked curiously . To launch 11 nuclear warheads toward Apophis . The impact that the exploded fragments would bring to Earth is much less destructive and the world won 39 t end at least, the scientist explained quietly . I shut my mouth . Just then, a thick manly voice sounded from behind, All the spacecraft are in position . Please take the lead . I figured he must be the commander in chief or the pilot . Start the operation . Please provide a report on the current situation, Mr . Supernova, the president ordered . All I saw were Moms . All over the hundreds of screens . Seconds passed and I saw that one of Moms had turned into a young man . Shortly after, more and more Moms turned into young men and women . I started using my finger to swipe those people who were about to revert to their normal selves to the right . One, two . One group, two groups . Those on the right are safe the president questioned . Those on the extreme right are safe from the end of the world, I replied . I could hear a round of cheers rising from the backstage and within the room . I continued separating the virtual monitors and finally, amidst all the densely packed screens, I saw an obvious dividing line . There were tens of virtual video frames on the left side of the dividing line . A voice came from behind, Those on the left are employees of North America 39 s embassy . I sighed . How 39 s the situation up there The thick voice resumed, The spacecrafts have overheated and our instruments are not functioning properly . We 39 ve already lost connection with at least ten spacecrafts . I 39 m afraid they 39 re gone . I noticed that some of the screens on the right were once again filled with Mom 39 s faces . I shouted urgently, Did you guys alter the operation Return to your previous direction . You 39 ve pulled the asteroid back Don 39 t act recklessly But it 39 s way too hot so I had them adjust slightly . Tell me if I 39 m heading in the right direction . We 39 re depending on you, Mr . Supernova, the thick, manly voice sounded . No, more people are going to die Yes The opposite direction . Continue down this path I could feel sweat pouring down my forehead . Wait, didn 39 t you say that you lost connection with some of them Show me the faces of the pilots controlling the spacecraft, I demanded . Faces started appearing before me . All Moms . I see death in your faces, brothers, but please try your best . The earth will be safe soon, I told them . Voices responded unharmoniously but with the same words For Earth . I saw Moms disappearing from other sets of screens . I pushed them over to the right side . Two more left . These two embassies Is there something wrong with those regions the president asked . The earth should be fine but these two should make a trip to the hospital . You two might only have a few more months to live, I added . They looked about 30 similar to Mom at that point . More cheers erupted as the screens with the pilots started disconnecting one by one . I removed my headgear and looked at everyone in the room . I couldn 39 t smile . You did it, Mr . Supernova, I heard the president 39 s soft voice coming from the headgear . I sighed before correcting him with a small voice, They did it .Chapter end
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