Chapter One: The Startling Discovery

“No! It can’t be.” Senior Analyst Will Prady exclaimed. “This can’t be at least for another billion years.”

“Did you guys double check and reload the computers?”  Dr. Cage looked at his team to confirm the data.

The Center for Space Studies (CSS), a local agency for NASA, exploded with excitement as baffled researchers were trying to find out what was happening. Dr. Cage, the Directorate of the Astrophysics Department, settled his eyes on the computer while he and his team read the data from a recent solar spectroscopic analysis done on the sun.

“We’ve already reloaded a few times, Sir.” a reply came from Keith Fatou, one of the team members.

“Well, do it again.” ordered Dr. Jason Scheff, who is the head researcher for the team, as well as a colleague of Dr. Cage.

Senior Analyst Will Prady, together with the team, adjusted some of the dials in the computers that they have been working on as they reloaded the results from the recent analysis of the sun.

As the computer began to load again, the data shown across the screen were like the fire-like colors of the spectrum on the monitor.

“It’s the same, Sir. We’re positive about the results.” Senior Analyst Will Prady said.

“Are you sure? I mean, really sure?” Dr. Cage said with doubt. “Now if what you’re showing me is true, and this gets out, you know the consequences.”

“Yes, are you sure? What about our equipment? This is not a good time to play pranks.” Dr. Scheff followed up, looking around at everyone in the room.

“Yes, we’re sure.” The team answered all at the same time.

“The equipments are fine, doctors. They have been checked out every hour on the hour, and the technical teams have logged in their findings every time they do maintenance.” Fatou replied, showing the logs to Dr. Cage.

“Well, can you check everything again, to be sure?” Dr. Cage directed the team.

The team actively got up and pushed some buttons and toggled some dials and switches across the big machine of what seemed like a supercomputer. The team programmed the machine to reset and one of them switched off the power then turned it back on.

By the time they were done, they geared up for another reading of the activity of the sun and afterward, they loaded up the results on the big screen.  All eyes gazed at the big screen, and they saw again the same fire-like colors of the spectrum as they had reported earlier. Everyone was amazed at the colors leaping in front of their eyes. They could not believe what they were witnessing.

“That can’t be.”  Keith Fatou murmured in amazement, scratching his head.

“Do you want us to do another reset, Sir?” Analyst Will Prady asked Dr. Cage.

“No, we’ve done all we can.” Dr. Cage replied. “You guys realize what this means so brace yourselves.”

“You guys are familiar with the procedure. Call NASA-Kennedy and announce a level-8 protocol meeting.” Dr. Scheff ordered their team as he watched in concern at his fellow colleague, Dr. Cage.

Moments prior to contacting NASA-Kennedy, Keith Fatou first called his best friend Abe Singh, who recently completed his Doctorate degree in Astrophysics at the University of Cambridge, and is currently a Management Intern under the tutelage of Mr. Mcvet, the Chief of the Science Bureau, at the UNEP- United Nations Environmental Programme, in Geneva, Switzerland.

“Are you sure you have identified and transcribed everything relevant to our project?" Singh questioned.

“Yes, I have. Now I will send them to you for markings and safekeeping. Be sure to do so. And be sure to keep this a secret.” Fatou instructed Singh.

“Of course.” Mr. Singh calmly said. “And don’t you worry, I’ll take care of Cage, Scheff, Prady, and the disappearance of the rest of the staff.”

#

January 25, 1977 -- UNEP (DEWA) GRID -- Sioux Falls, South Dakota, USA.

In Attendance:

Mr. Keith Fatou

Mr. Abe Singh

Mr. Michael Long

Ms. Eva Long

 ”My Dear Associates, our meeting tonight will bring us to a stage where we will rock the Earth. I mean literally ROCK! Keith found a golden opportunity to make us quite rich! We can all retire and buy our own island and live in luxury.” Mr. Singh explained, his eyes bulging with excitement. “I mean what is the price you are willing to pay against the unknown?  I’m talking here about the loom of the end of the world against profit for you and me. What are the odds of this unknown ever happening, for us to spend the rest of our lives to live exquisitely until our last breath? Keith will tell you the details then later we’ll set up our plans and each of your individual involvements. Any questions?” Singh said, turning to his right. “Keith?”

 “Thank you, Abe. Two years ago while doing a research on the sun’s activity, we discovered the unusual brightening of the sun during a pyrheliometer analysis. Further studies showed, the increased glow and brightness of the sun would mean more heat and radiation to hit the earth. This will mark the beginning of the Red Giant phase -- in layman’s term, the death of the sun!”

Mr. Singh added, “And in our case, Keith, cheers to our Nobel Prize!”

"And how do you propose to make profit from this?" Mike Long interrupted.

"Oh, you'll see, Mike." Fatou replied. "You'll see."