2 Chapter 2 - Age of Relics
[2AM, 18th December, 1999. NASA's Near-Earth Objects (NEO) observation facility, Pasadena]
-Beep...beep...beep-
A loud beep started to echo to indicate that one of the space satellites had picked up some sign of activity.
-Beep-beep-beep...beep-beep-beep...beep-beep-beep-
The tempo hastened. The signal finally alerted one of the few science officers on duty tonight. A white male in his mid 30s leapt out of his chair and grabbed the monitor to have a closer look. He rubbed his eyes in disbelief as the computer crunched the numbers and churned out the following 8-bit text on screen : [Estimated time to impact, 4 hours 49 minutes]
He scrambled to the nearest communications console and dialed the numbers he never wished he would ever need to dial in his lifetime. One ring, two rings, and after the third ring, a click.
"Credentials please," the operator's voice on the other end said without wasting any time.
"Kilo-Lima-Tango-One-Niner-Niner-Zero."
"Roger that, credentials verified. Patching you through to Executive One."
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[The Oval Office, White House, Washington DC]
The leader of the free world, the most powerful man on the planet, grumbled and yawned in his presidential pajamas as he picked up the phone. "Now, y'all better have a damn good reason for dropping this call on me," he growled.
"Y-yes sir, this is science officer Reeve Silverson reporting in from NASA. Our satellites on the outer rim have detected some unusual activity..." Reeve began.
But before he could even finish his sentence, the president cut him off with a groan. "Please. Please don't tell me you woke me up just to tell me about some damn meteoroids!"
Reeve remained undaunted. "No sir. I'm actually dialing in to report about some asteroids," he said confidently.
The president let out an exasperated sigh. "You've gooooot to be kidding me. What's the difference son?! Aren't they all glorified space rocks?"
But Reeve knew the stakes were too high to back down. "No sir. Asteroids are actually significantly larger, and could possibly be the size of a planet. Plus, the asteroids that are about to enter earth's atmosphere were not registered on our watch list. A-and that's the thing sir...the computers are telling us that impact is imminent in...5 hours 38 minutes," Reeve said, his voice catching in his throat as he checked the timer on the monitor.
The president's demeanor changed instantly, panic and urgency in his voice as he reached for the secondary phone that connects to other world leaders. But before he could dial, he turned back to Reeve. "Hang on. You said asteroids. Plural. I didn't hear that wrong?" he asked, one hand rubbing his temples.
Reeve's response confirmed the president's worst fears. "Yes...sir. There are 4 asteroids, each averaging about...300 meters in diameter...and 3 out of those are headed towards major cities in the world," he said, his eyes fixed on the data displayed on the screen.
As the president went silent on the other line, Reeve muttered to himself, "How? How did these asteroids avoid our detection until moments ago? It's as if...they appeared out of thin air." The weight of the situation was sinking in, and the fate of the world hung in the balance.
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In a matter of mere hours, the world as we knew it was forever changed. The fate of mankind was teetering on the edge of a knife, as the leaders of the world called for an emergency summit in a desperate attempt to thwart the impending disaster.
But in a rare moment of unity, all of mankind banded together to face this grave threat. The major cities in the vicinity of the predicted crash sites were evacuated with military precision, as the people sought refuge in bunkers or were escorted to safety by the brave men and women of the military.
The next move was risky, audacious, and some would even say suicidal. The world leaders decided to launch missiles into space in a last-ditch effort to deflect, slow down, or break apart the massive asteroids. Dubbed "Operation Starfall," this was a hail mary pass that would either save the world or seal its doom.
With bated breath, the world watched as every capable military on the planet scrambled to launch their missiles into space, each one hoping to make a difference in the outcome. But the result was far from what anyone had hoped for. The larger asteroids continued to hurtle towards Earth, undeterred by humanity's best efforts.
As desperation set in, the best minds of the world came up with a new strategy. They turned their attention to the smaller asteroids, hoping to break them into smaller pieces before they could enter the Earth's atmosphere. With a focused and determined effort, they were able to break apart two of the smaller asteroids, buying humanity a slim chance at survival.
It was a heart-stopping, adrenaline-fueled moment in human history, and even now, historians still debate the effectiveness of "Operation Starfall." But for better or for worse, it was the best that mankind could do with the limited technology at their disposal.
But as they say, the rest...is history.
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Mankind's united intervention resulted in unexpected results. One could say that it was the dawn of a new age.
When the asteroids crashed into the earth, it was as if the world was thrown into the depths of Tartarus itself. Almost half of the planet's surface was damaged beyond repair, and scientists were left reeling at the discovery that the asteroids were composed of a material that was entirely foreign to Earth. But that was just the beginning of the strange and wondrous events that followed.
Soon after the crash, people started telling tales of ordinary objects that had suddenly come to life with magical abilities, as if they had been touched by the hand of a god. Legends and folklore that had long been forgotten were brought back to life through these mysterious relics, which appeared in the most unexpected and bewildering places.
But the discovery of the relics came with a price. People started falling ill with a strange disease called "relic fever," and as the pandemic swept across the world, the united world government crumbled under the pressure. Countries started racing to harness the power of the relics, sparking the first Relic War that plunged the world into chaos. The united world government's prestige was short lived, and became a joke that generations later would often talk about.
However, there were those who were blessed by the relics. Those who were cured of the disease suddenly found themselves with a special and stronger connection to the relics, and it was as if they had been chosen by the gods themselves. But even as some were blessed, others were not so lucky. A small portion of the population found themselves unable to wield or connect with the relics, and they were left to watch as the world continued to evolve.
For those in the countries and regions closest to the asteroid crash sites, the discovery of a new mineral called "Stellanium" sparked a technological revolution. With its potential seemingly limitless, this precious mineral propelled humanity's technological advancement to heights never before imagined, opening up a new world of possibilities. Localities affected by the asteroid crash sites also started to report a mutation in its flora and fauna, a completely unintended side effect.
As the world slowly adjusted to the presence of the relics, and relic fever cases dwindled, the relics became an integral part of life. And in the midst of this new age, the Relic Enforcers were formed as an organization to regulate the use and distribution of the relics, ensuring that the world would never again be plunged into chaos. Various relic focused organizations also emerged, offering their services to the highest bidder, and specializing in anything related to these powerful objects. They refused to bend their knee to a world government that had failed them.
Despite the chaos, there was one organization dedicated to understanding the relics' secrets - the Institute of Relic Research and Discovery. Their top scientists worked tirelessly to unlock the full potential of these mysterious objects, seeking to understand the power that they possessed and the implications it had for humanity. But as the research continued, it became clear that the relics were more than just objects - they held a power that was beyond human comprehension. And those who sought to use them for their own gain would stop at nothing to achieve their goals.
The years continued to pass and the world grew more divided, with those who possessed relics holding an unparalleled advantage over those who did not. The relics became a symbol of power, and those who wielded them were feared and revered. But despite the chaos and danger that surrounded them, there was still a sense of wonder and amazement at the relics' incredible abilities.
For some, the relics were a means of achieving their wildest dreams - for others, they were a curse, bringing nothing but chaos and destruction. But for all, they represented a new era of discovery and possibility, a current that sparked the spirit of adventure and curiosity...It was the Age of Relics.
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[Present day, year 2023. The Maliau Basin, a dense rainforest located in Sabah, Malaysia]
All seemed calm in the depths of the Maliau Basin, a world renowned gated sanctuary for exotic flora and fauna. It was one of the sites where the shards of the asteroid crashed. The result of the asteroid impact caused the local plants and animals to mutate, with similar things happening throughout the world back then. The Maliau Basin was then closed off by the authorities to prevent certain dangerous creatures from escaping this enclosure.
"Ahhhhh!!!"
A shrill screaming voice resonated throughout the jungle, while tiny pebbles and gravel levitate off the ground in an even tempo.
"Connor!!! You dim-witted fool! Get me out of hereeeee! Ahhhh!!!"
The owner of the voice bellowed as he ducked and dashed his way through the jungle, avoiding as many branches and shrubs as he can while not looking back. Looking back would prove disastrous, as a 12-foot half a tonne Three-Horned Beetle was giving crashing through the trees like they were twigs...
