“This will be one of two primary sleep chambers. Across the tunnel is an identical room, and there will be a second level in both, so we'll have twice the floor space you see here. One of the first things you two will be doing is get the rest of the team down here. These need to be converted into atmosphere-controlled chambers. The second level will be going in next week, then it's up to our team to do the rest. Make sure they know that any resources they need are already approved. Since these chambers are already physically large enough, this is where we start.”

They left and walked back into the central tunnel. “I'd take you down to the main storage area, but there's too much activity going on right now. Essentially, it's just a giant empty chamber. It'll be divided into different areas, to store different categories of equipment. The computers will keep track of each item and where it's stored. It'll contain everything we think they'll need in the future; building material, vehicles, computers, weapons and medical equipment.” Fitch explained.

“There's an awful lot of planning going on here Matt. Who else is going to be involved in this? As we move forward, the ability to maintain secrecy will quickly become impossible,” Cowan noted.

“I know. I have a meeting in DC about all this next week,” Fitch stated.

Chapter Twenty

DAY 827

Several months later, General Draper, General Fitch, Admiral Atkins and National Security Advisor Baker met at the Pentagon in Washington DC.

“Gentlemen,” Draper began. “Let's start with a quick overview of what's occurred to date and see what steps need to be taken. Up until this point, we've utilized every means at our disposal to keep the details of the comet's radioactivity a secret. The comet itself is becoming widely known about because of the spectacular light show it'll create when it passes close by. In fact, in the last week, I've seen or heard mention of it several times in the media.

“As you've all said on more than one occasion, we need to start bringing more people into the game. It seems impossible to avoid expanding the number of people with full knowledge of this event at this point.

“I've been dealing with the Air Force, and General Peebles is the only officer over there who knows exactly what's going to happen. He's working on a plan to use nuclear weapons to modify the course of the comet. If we could get the weapons out far enough into space, there might be a chance, but it's not probable. His people are working out new theories but the possibility of success is minimal.