The delegates take their seats. Marvin hands Dominique and Mick sets of small headphones. Removing them from their cellophane wrappers, they set the translator dials to ENGLISH, then place them over their ears.

“I call first to the dais Professor Nathan Fowler, Associate Director of the NASA Ames Research Center and head of the international team investigating the alien drones. Professor?”

A bespectacled gray-haired man in his late sixties takes his place at the podium.

“Madam President, honored delegates, fellow scientists, I’m here tonight to update you on the alien objects whose detonations have already led to the deaths of more than two million people. Despite this tragedy, the evidence I am about to share with you clearly indicates that the extraterrestrial’s primary objective was not to annihilate our species. In fact, our presence on this planet is about as important to this alien intelligence as a flea to a dog.”

Murmurs fill the room.

“Our team has conducted a thorough analysis of comparison among every one of the forty-four identified drone targets. These locations share one thing in common—the geology of each site is composed entirely of limestone. In fact, let me take that one step further—most of the sites targeted qualify as karst landscapes—a dense limestone formation composed of extremely high levels of calcium carbonate.”

“Karst landscapes make up one-sixth of our planet’s landmass. They were created about four hundred million years ago when high levels of calcium carbonate was deposited on what was then the tropical seafloor of—”

“Professor, in the interest of time—”

“Huh? Oh, of course, Madam President. If you’ll just allow me a brief moment to explain the importance of limestone on our planet, then I think everyone will gain a greater understanding as to the reasons these drones were launched.”

“Proceed, but be quick.”

“Karst formations, and limestone in general, perform a critical function on Earth by serving as vast planetary storehouses of carbon dioxide. Calcium carbonate in karst absorbs dissolved carbon dioxide like a sponge, helping to regulate and stabilize our oxygen environment. In fact, the amount of carbon dioxide stored within sedimentary rock is more than six hundred times the total carbon content of the Earth’s air, water, and living cells combined.”

Dominique looks at Mick, whose complexion has turned deathly pale.

The NASA director removes a remote keypad linked to the computerized map overhead.

“Madam President, I’m going to use our computer to simulate what would happen if every one of the thirty-eight remaining drones were to simultaneously explode. Please take special note of the atmospheric temperature and carbon-dioxide readings.”

A hush falls over the delegation as the professor types in a set of commands.

Two icons appear in blue along the lower border of the overhead map.

Mean Global Surface Temperature: 12/20/12 70 degrees F. (21 degrees C.) CO2 Content: 0.03%