World leaders were contacting Washington in a panic, demanding information. They were all provided with a standard response. There is no indication that the radiation is the result of any kind of weapon activity. We suspect it's a result of the comet which passed Earth earlier today. We are investigating and will release our findings as soon as possible. At this time, we recommend seeking shelter in any Civil Defense Shelter or underground structure available.

Six hours later, the first reports of people showing up at hospitals with radiation sickness began to filter through.

Ten hours after that, the first fatality related to radiation exposure was reported, when a seventy-six-year-old man, died in Madrid, Spain.

At the same time, it was reported that many hospitals were overflowing with victims suffering from radiation sickness.

Four days later, the radiation had spread throughout the atmosphere, and distress calls were being reported from an Antarctic research station where seven of their fourteen member team were sick.

The following day, it was confirmed that radiation poisoning was rapidly spreading through every nation on Earth.

A week later, there was no response to repeated attempts to contact the Antarctic research station.

It was estimated that seventy percent of the world population was sick, and there had been over six million fatalities. The Chinese and Russian Governments accused President Daniel Anson of knowingly hiding information regarding the comet's danger.

It was at this point RJ shut off the audio and video receivers and ordered her people to leave the command center. Watching the world slowly die was depressing and it was having a heavy impact on all of them.

They gathered in the mess hall, where Brad had prepared a large meal. There was music playing, and RJ intentionally made sure the topic of conversation revolved around memories of the work that had been done in preparing the mountain and the training they'd all endured. As the conversation continued, they found they could laugh a little despite what was happening outside the mountain.

RJ addressed the group. “We've all seen far more of what's happening outside than could be considered healthy. I know there's a part of each of us that wants to open the doors and take our chances. Being safe in here, while everything is collapsing around us makes me feel as if I'm hiding, behaving like a big chicken. But we need to remember the reason we're here - to help the survivors rebuild and to ensure that humanity survives this terrible event. I don't believe there's anything more to be gained from watching what's happening. It's time for all of us to sleep.”

Brad thought over her words. Part of him desperately wanted to keep listening to the reports, to hear what was happening to his country and his planet. But RJ was right. There was nothing to gain by hearing another heart-wrenching report or more terrifying statistics. “Reluctantly, I agree with RJ,” he said to the group. “It's time.”