PART 2: COMET PHILLIPS
2032
CHAPTER TWO
Greenbelt, Maryland, United States of
America
Sagan Phillips' face was flush and
his sandy hair tousled as he jogged easily along the gravel pathway. His rhythm
changed to a walk as he hit the pavement leading around the back of the
building, away from the throng of reporters. The sun had already burned the sky
a white-blue and the air still held the aura of summer, despite the jolts of
color already spreading through the leaves. Looking up, he marveled at how well
the Earth's pure blue ceiling hid the dark, destructive vacuum of space beyond
it.
Approaching the gunmetal door, Sagan
slowed as the biometric beams and chemical sniffers worked him over. The door
slid open with a mild whirr and welcomed him with the date and time as he
stepped inside the cool, white hallway of the NASA Goddard Space Center
residential wing. This place had served as his home as well as his office for
over a year now, and he would miss it. If today went well, he and his team
would be celebrated as heroes and the world would breathe a collective sigh of
relief. There was no option for him to consider the alternative. Others had
already projected out multiple disaster scenarios. Potential casualties had
been calculated, evacuation plans had been drafted and secure underground
bunkers were filled with key government and scientific leaders. He walked with
long strides to the elevator that would bring him to the control center where
the rest of his team was already assembled and waiting for him.
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