PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

For a half a century now, astronomers have observed Asteroid ALFA – its steady activity has not at all bothered them, its size though is definitely noteworthy. Stagnant though it may seem, it still orbits the sun faster than the other smaller types. The closest it got from the Earth was on the year 2012 when speculations and theories of the world ending has been known. It was first identified in an infrared telescope facility, also known as the Orion Steel located on an isolated mountaintop. Its enormous glass-tiled dome can be seen from miles down the winding road.

In the eyes of tourists, it was magnificent because it clearly reflects the wide skies. For one young girl, it was the sight of brilliance and wonder, a place to see millions of galaxies away, a place of infinite possibilities.

10 Years Ago from Present

“…proudly present this award to our incredible prodigy,” a man was saying on a lectern. “Known for her prolific contributions for the Eagle V-11. Please give a round of applause for Daniele Antares.”

A young girl stood up from her seat. Thousands of people were watching, she did not dare look at them, her eyes were focused on the blue skies. She walked towards the important adults standing up before her, their hands reached out for handshakes which she shook too quickly, embarrassed by her sweaty palms. She bowed as the medal was placed on her neck. She stepped up on the lectern, her heart pounded on her chest.  She cleared her throat and held her notes, still not looking at the crowd.

“F-for years,” she stuttered. “I’ve watched the heavens. The moon and all its glory, the stars and their brilliance. I’ve seen them as specks of dusts in the night sky, wondered how they shine. I had so many questions and theories about the heavens, and books were profitable enough to answer most of them but my father believes otherwise. He believes that answers are not solely found in books but can be grasp with our own hands. And so when I was 8, my father took me and my mom on a trip. All he said was he would take us up the mountains.” She glanced up at the crowd looking straight at his father who nodded at her. Her nervousness slowly seeping away as she nodded back.

“Little did I know,” Daniele continued. “It was only the beginning of my journey to the place I was now accustomed of going to more than our own home. Orion Steel has showed me galaxies upon galaxies and wonders after wonders, and the more I learned about the great beyond up there, the more questions unravels in my mind. Eagle V-11 has always been my pride – its successful mission to the moon, carrying Athena probe to map out the moon’s surface in detailed, and its triumphant expedition in the detection of ice-water and carrying samples back to us here on Earth was more than I could ever envision. It’s not just a leap for mankind, it is the proof that we can jump higher. The possibilities our in our hands, we just need to look up and grab it.” 

She held the medal tight and look at the clouds. This is for you mom. Loud applause thundered from the now standing crowd as she walked down the stairs where her father stood waiting for her.

__________

“’Asteroid ALFA was the biggest asteroid to be discovered 50 years ago,’” Angelo read out loud. “It orbits around the sun and the astronomers, led by a father and daughter duo, from Orion Steel has tabulated its activities since then. The first time it traveled close to our planet was 14 years ago though still a thousand miles away, it helped the scientists to get a better look at it and has estimated its actual size. It only passed slowly that year as if taunting Earthlings about the ‘prophesied’ doomsday as a complete joke.’”

“Nice goin’, ALFA,” Angelo chuckled and continued, “’From what we have learned last year, 2025, the probability that it will strike Earth is almost 89.78%. The trajectory and speed it will travel as this year closes is certain to hit us 10 months counting from now." He made a whistled sound.

“What’s the point of reading that?” Sean’s voice came from behind the medicine shelf. “You can’t possibly tell me you believed in that.”

“Sean, my man, why so little faith? The scientists have spoken and this February issue proves it more,” Angelo tapped his magazine. “You should read these articles by Gambit Crook, all facts and wit. They always update every Wednesday. It’s awesome. No cap.”

“Right,” Sean replied drily, walking to the table where Angelo sat. “I’ll trust someone with that name. How reliable.”

“That’s just their pseudonym.”

Sean looked at him, an eyebrow raised.

“Whatever, man,” Angelo reclined on his seat, raising the magazine upon reading. “Some of us has to believe. You being cynical about the government is understandable but this is science, the stats never lie. Master Gambit releases the latest activity of ALFA every week, someone out there is still monitoring its movement, and it’s just heroic. Maybe we still have a chance overcoming this.”

“How are they even still publishing those?” Sean asked, scribbling notes as he looked through every medicine bottle. “Publishing companies began closing during the third ordinance first enacted. Basic needs were prioritized and even then food companies were limited. If I recall, no publishing companies exist to this day.”

“Yeah, I hate that ordinance. Why are books and mags not a necessity?”

“Because it won’t save us from the asteroid,” Sean chuckled quietly while shaking his head.

Angelo sat up. “Oh, as if going to work to earn points to buy things can provide us salvation. Dumb as hell.”

"Um-hum," Sean nodded, still scribbling while Angelo put his magazine on the table, arms crossed while reading. They were quiet for a while.

“So how do you keep on getting those editions?” Sean finally said as he closed his notebook and stood up. Angelo looked up slowly, smirking and shaking his head. Sean looked at him and frowned as he put the bottles back on the tray.

“It’s a secret,” Angelo said, leaning back on his chair. “My cousins and I have different connections outside the sector, y’know alliances. My mouth is sealed.” He made a zipping motion on his lips, throwing an imaginary key on the floor.

Sean shrugged and walked out, carrying the tray. He heard him call out inside the room and chairs falling over as he ran to follow him. Suddenly, an emergency alarm blared through the halls then almost immediately it stopped. Everything and everyone was still for a second and then all of a sudden a static noise was heard in the ceiling speakers around the hospitals, schools, and in the loudspeakers installed almost everywhere outside the public.

A click then a monotonous voice spoke, “This is an urgent declaration from the World Leaders themselves. At exactly 8:45 PM tonight, everyone is required to watch and listen with the devices available in your area. A new Ordinance will be announced and all Leaders for each countries are going to personally deliver them. Everything is safe within the powers. Long live the Leaders.”

A click again then the static noise resounded throughout the cities. Everything was in eerie silence as everyone moved again silently – murmurs and whispers in all corners of cities and provinces. This was something truly unexpected and almost everybody was curious.

Angelo and Sean looked at each other, both frowning. All ordinances were actions first before the written decree is disclose to the public. Always at exactly one minute before the government announces it online. Internet was only limited to written news reports and important updates. According to the scope within the Fifth Ordinance regarding communication and media usage, social media and all entertainment was banned since last year – gradually disappearing like goods on store shelves.

Hours passed and the curfew rang. Almost everyone was already inside their houses waiting eagerly while the homeless were required to go to the sector’s central square where a huge television was installed that morning. Police in grey suits and soldiers in black roam the city, gathering the people outside everywhere to that area.

Twenty more minutes before the big announcement and Sean was already sitting on the couch, elbows on knees and remote control in hand. He should still be taking notes at this hour. His foot shook in agitation, why was he feeling nervous? Questions swirled inside his mind. Where were the Leaders when they had ordained all these unusual laws? What were they planning? And what are they planning now? Why did they suddenly hid their faces and lives while imposing a totalitarian system throughout the world? Then out of the blue, they’re going to show themselves in public. After all this time, why today?

Fifteen more minutes. Sean watched as Emma walked out the bedroom, drool on the side of her mouth. She sat beside him and leaned on a round pillow on the other side while clutching her stegosaurus stuffed toy as she yawned.

“Go back to sleep, Em,” Sean said quietly. “I’ll tell you everything tomorrow.”

“Mm,” Emma instantly nodded off. Sean smiled a bit and glanced at his watch, five more minutes and he turned the TV on. A countdown was on the screen, light and numbers illuminating his glasses.

Two minutes on the screen. Sean leaned back.

One minute. He stared at the screen not daring to blink.

Seconds running. His foot shaking again.

..7, 6, 5, 4, 3. He leaned forward. ..2, 1, 0. Beeeep! The red screen almost blinded Sean as a man in white suit finally appeared on the screen.