Laws of Science: (Book 2 of the Rewriter)

Realm: Armageddon 1998 Film

A New World, A New Problem

Robin started to stir. His head was laying on a desk covered with charts and papers. He pulled a piece of paper away from his forehead and placed it back on the desk. He scratched his head as he looked around. He was in a small dim-lighted grey room. It almost looked as if he was in an old closet that had been emptied out to make room for a small office.

The only things in the room were a desk, an old 1995 computer, and two chairs that were not the best looking or even close to being comfortable. On the desk was a silver plaque with the name "Robin Van Reader" carved in black letters. Robin rubbed his still aching head as he stared at the plaque with disbelief.

The last thing Robin remembered was he was living the Mummy movie and had changed the story by freeing Imhotep from his curse. Once the curse was removed, he felt faint and thought he was dying. Yet here he was, sitting at this strange desk with his name on it.

He wondered if he was dreaming all along and somehow he even dreamt of being a crippled boy. Yet he knew in his heart that his whole life and what he just experienced wasn't a dream at all. Robin stood up and realized he was no longer wearing the black robes, but a suit and tie. He searched and searched for his sword, but it was nowhere to be found.

Robin then noticed a golden pen in the pocket of his shirt. He pulled out the pen and it had the symbol of Ra and Odin carved into its sides. Robin rubbed his head again and wondered what was going on and was this pen somehow his mighty sword. Ra's eye glowed for a quick flash and Robin's mind became filled with knowledge, knowledge he never possessed before.

Robin sat back down at his desk, put his pen back in his pocket, and then studied the desk for clues of who he was and what he was doing here. All that was on his desk were blueprints of a strange looking rocket with a drill for a head. Next to the blueprints were results of a chemical compound that Robin must have invented.

After studying the blueprints for a few minutes, Robin's hazy mind became clear. These blueprints looked like better and more improved versions of his drawings as a kid. He remembered watching the Armageddon movie. After watching the film he realized that the movie could indeed happen one day and he knew that the world wasn't prepared for a giant asteroid. This gave him the desire to design a rocket to destroy any asteroid that may one day come hurdling towards earth. These blueprints were definitely better models for that rocket that he dreamt of building so long ago.

It was then that Robin noticed his computer screen. He realized that he had sent an email to Washington requesting funding for his new invention as well as requesting a large space for constructing and testing his new designs. He had sent the email just a few hours ago, according to the timestamp on the email.

Robin could not remember writing an email and sending it to Washington. To him, it felt like he just arrived into this new world. A world without magic, for no matter how hard Robin tried, he couldn't conjure any spell or do anything that he was able to do in the realm of the Mummy. No, all he could do was look at his designs and plan how to make these drawings come to life by actually building them with his two hands.

After fiddling with his golden pen for a few minutes, Robin's office door swung open. The knob hit the wall so hard that it punched a hole into the drywall. Standing in the doorway were two men wearing black suits and sunglasses. One of the men entered the room and asked with great authority in his voice, "Are you Dr. Reader? The man that sent Washington designs for a new type of rocket?"

Robin was stunned and slowly nodded his head. The man walked around the desk, grabbed his arm and said while dragging him along, "You need to come with me. Your design is of great interest to our nation's security."

Robin quickly asked with confusion, "I don't understand. Where are you taking me? Is there some kind of crime that I committed? How do you guys know about my new designs, I just emailed Washington not a few hours ago?"

The men refused to answer any of Robin's questions. Before Robin knew it, he was on a private jet and heading to Washington. Once they landed, he was dragged to a building not too far from the airport and placed into an office filled with men. One of the men in the room was Ronald Quincy from the Armageddon movie.

Seeing Ronald Quincy standing not too far from him confirmed to Robin that he was now in the Armageddon movie. One of the politicians sitting around the table looked Robin up and down and asked, "Are you Robin Van Reader?"

Robin nodded and the man continued his thought, "Can you please tell us more about this device you are asking government funding for?"

Robin calmly replied, "Well it is a rocket that I was hoping to design to protect the world incase an asteroid or meteor was coming towards earth. Pretty much, its designed to tunnel deep into the asteroid then detonate when it is deep within, destroying the asteroid from the inside."

One of the other politicians smiled and said, "Amazing. We were just discussing how we were going to tunnel into an asteroid when this design latterly falls into our laps."

Robin pretended to gasp and said with shock, "You're telling me that an asteroid is heading towards us this very moment."

A different politician quickly asked, "What makes you think that? We were just speaking hypothetically."

Robin folded his arms with disbelief and said, "Oh really. If this was all hypothetical, then you people wouldn't have dragged me down here just hours after I sent Washington an email containing my designs. No. You guys are in a panic and needed more information about my designs to see if they are indeed a solution to the current threat to the entire world."

The first politician that spoke to Robin smiled and said with pride, "I think we have another Ronald Quincy here gentlemen."

Ronald smiled slightly before he turned to Robin and said, "Please, Dr. Reader, tell us more about your rocket. What all do you need to build it? How long will it take you to build it? What kind of blast radius does this rocket have? How far can your rocket tunnel into a very hard surface?"

Robin scratched his head and said, "There are just too many unknown variables. For example, I need to know how much time do we actually have to build the rocket. How big the asteroid is. As well as need to know roughly what this asteroid is made of. For example, is it like harden clay, or more like steel?"

The room buzzed with all the information Robin needed. His mind became sharp and understood every word. Robin sat down once he had all the information and said, "Unfortunately we don't have enough time and material to build a large enough rocket to completely destroy this asteroid heading towards earth. You see, the rocket is just the carrier for my true brilliance. You see, I have created a special formal that when two special chemicals are mixed together, it creates a massive sonic force capable of shattering the strongest material if enough of it was applied.

"But the two chemicals are very tricky to make, as well as takes time and a steady hand. In order to make a large enough batch to destroy this asteroid, I would need six months, maybe eight."

One of the politicians asked, "Well what about your rocket design. We have atom bombs that can easily destroy it, as long as we can tunnel deep enough into the asteroid according to Ronald at least."

Robin shook his head and replied, "I don't think your bombs are the solution. From what I am to understand, your planning on tunneling about halve way into the asteroid and planting one of your bombs in the middle of it, in hopes of splitting the asteroid in two and hoping that both halves fly past the earth. If you were to do that and your calculations are off by just one degree, or number, the asteroid won't split as you hope and will still hit the earth and wipe out all life. No. I believe that my chemical compound is the best option."

The first politician spoke up with frustration, "But you just said that you didn't have enough time to make your chemical compound!"

Robin smiled slightly and said, "For a large scale rocket. But I believe I have enough time, and if you supply me the materials I need, I can make about three ten foot tall rockets."

Another man in the room asked with confusion, "So why not make just one thirty foot tall rocket?"

Robin turned to the man and replied, "Because that would do no good. If we just built one thirty foot tall rocket and had it drill into the center of the asteroid, it still wouldn't be enough to destroy the whole asteroid. But, if we make three ten foot long rockets and had them drill into three different spots of the asteroid then…"

Ronald finished Robin's train of thought, "Then they will equally disperse their destructive force, thereby tripling the blast radius and completely shattering the asteroid. Thus if any debris did come towards earth, the fragments would be so small that earth's atmosphere would burn them up the moment they entered."

Robin nodded and said, "Exactly. The only thing that I would advise further is that we still bring in the profession drill team that you were thinking of to help design and build the drill head for the rockets. We should also still train them to land on the asteroid and drill into its depths just in case our rockets fail. That way we have two plans instead of praying that our first one will work."

Everyone in the room agreed and before Robin knew it, he was heading to Houston to help build and design the three rockets to save the world. Robin always wanted to meet Harry Stamper and his team, but unfortunately, he rarely got to see them and work with them. They were either training for the space walk, or working on the equipment, while he was mixing and creating his special secret formula with Ronald's help.

It was around week two when Ronald finally asked, "So have you ever tested this formula? So far it seems very complex and I'm starting to question if it will do what you say it will do."

A memory flashed into Robin's head. He knew he never really tested this formula, but to his mind it was as if he did. It was like a moment where one remembers doing something in a dream while they are dreaming.

Robin sighed and said, "I've only tested this formula once. Yes the two separate chemicals seem stable and safe on their own, and as long as they don't mix they are completely stable. But the moment this red liquid comes in contact with that green one, the particles start to tremble and shake, creating a very unstable and dangerous explosion.

"When I was testing the formula in the field, I only used one milliliter drops for each compound. But even that was enough to knock me on my butt while I was standing fifty feet away behind the safety of a glass shield. The shield cracked then shattered once everything was said and done."

Ronald nodded and said, "So if we fill a ten foot glass tube with these liquids, and have them merge the moment they are at least 2000 feet deep into the asteroid, it would discharge a massive shockwave that will literally crumble the whole asteroid from the inside out."

"Especially when we use three rockets placed strategically within the asteroid." Replied Robin.

Robin and Ronald worked hard on the formula until they had enough chemicals to fill the three rockets that NASA had designed with Harry and his team. As Robin was gently placing both compounds deep with the center of each missile-like rockets. Harry came over with one of the drill heads he helped design.

Harry looked Robin up and down and asked, "So, are you the egg head that came up with this design and plan?"

Robin looked Harry in the eyes and softly replied, "I don't know about egg head. But yes. I'm the one who designed the rockets and invented this special formula to destroy our biggest threat."

Harry placed the large drill head down and said, "So let me ask you one thing." Robin nodded and Harry continued, "If you have so much faith in this formula and these missiles, then why on earth did you strongly advise me and my team prepare our equipment and train to spacewalk? Why have us do double the work if you believe this will work?"

Robin sighed before he spoke, "Because I am the kind of person that believes in having a backup plan behind a backup plan. I believe one needs to be prepared for whatever life or this world may throw at you. Yes I have faith that my formula will work, that is why I am here. But, if there is the slightest chance that I am wrong, I want someone up there to finish what my design should have done. I don't want to put the lives of billions of people on the faith that my rockets might work. I feel much better knowing that you and your team will be up there to clean up the rest if I fall short."

Harry smiled slightly and said, "That is a good answer. Better than some of the things I have heard while being here. And if it makes you feel better, I agree with you. We only have one shot to save the world from extinction, so we better have backup plans upon backup plans if our first plan doesn't work."

Harry picked up the drill head and said, "Now can you help me put this on your missile." Robin helped and Harry explained as they were installing the head, "Now we gave the drill a diamond dust tip and reinforced the spirals with a special alloy. We've also made it so that the drill will spin while the rocket fuel is active, allowing the drill to spin until the fuel is spent."

Harry and Robin talked for a few more minutes about the plan and the design of the rockets before Harry had to go back to training. That was the last time Robin spoke to Harry. Before Robin knew it, Harry and his team were strapping themselves into their seats getting ready to fly off into space, while he sat in the control room, monitoring his special computer that relayed the rockets' data.

NASA attached the three rockets to the bottom of the shuttle and the countdown began. Robin felt both excited and nervous about how the mission would go. His heart skipped a beat as he watched the shuttle fly higher and higher into the sky, before vanishing into the depths of space.

Robin waited patiently for Colonel Sharp's voice to come over his computer telling him that they were in the line of sight of the asteroid, giving him the signal to launch his missiles. Robin's heart skipped another beat when he heard someone's voice coming from behind him, "Dr. Reader! You are a liar!?"

Robin turned and saw a man who he never saw before in the movie standing behind him with a handful of paperwork. The man continued shouting, "No! I shouldn't call you Dr. Reader at all. The fact is! You're not a real doctor! In fact! I can find no evidence that you even exist! You are nothing but a fraud and you have just murdered over a billion people!"

Dan Truman approached the shouting man and asked, "May I ask who you are and what are you talking about?"

The man replied, "My name is Officer Charles. I was asked by one of the higher ups to do a little digging into Mr. Reader here. Good thing too. I've discovered that all of you have put your faith and trust into a fraud. This man doesn't even exist. He is nothing but a liar and a fraud. I have no idea where he came from, but he only came to be just as you all discovered the asteroid heading towards earth.

"The higher ups believe that he is actually an activist that has made sure that you all fail in stopping the asteroid. We believe he is here to make sure that this asteroid hits earth to cleanse the world of its wickedness."

Grace turned to Robin with tearful eyes and asked, "Is this true."

Robin shook his head and replied with calmness, "I have no idea what this Officer Charles is talking about. I am here to help save the world. Why would I want to destroy it? No. I know that my formula will work."

Officer Charles laughed and replied, "Work? We tested your so called formula. It is nothing but vinegar and baking soda. There is nothing special about it."

Ronald spoke up with disguise, "That is a bull face lie! His formula makes complete sense in theory! It is fair more advice then what you claim it to be!"

Officer Charles laughed again, "Some genius you are. This man has fooled all of you. Now the world is doomed because you all put your blind faith into one man." Officer Charles then handcuffed Robin and said, "You are under arrest. You have the right to remain silence, so I advise you shut your filthy lying mouth."

It was in that moment that Colonel Sharp's voice came through and said, "We are in striking distance of the asteroid now. Preparing the launch sequence and wanting for the launch commands."

Robin begged everyone in the room, "Please! You have to believe me! All I want to do is help! Please! Fire the missiles now before it is too late! If you don't fire them now! Harry and some of his crew will die! I can't let that happen! Harry deservers to see his little girl get married! Please I am begging you! Fire the…"

Officer Charles smacked Robin over the head with his club and Robin was knocked out cold. Officer Robin's went over to the intercom and said, "Colonel Sharp. This is Officer Charles. I was told to give you command code Alpha, Beta 456321."

Colonel Sharp voice came back through the intercom and said, "Understood. Canceling launch orders and switching to plan Beta."

Harry was stunned and said, "What is Plan Beta?"

Colonel Sharp ignored Harry and was about to cancel the launch sequence. Before he could though, the three missiles were launched. Colonel Sharp asked with fear and frustration, "Who launched the missiles!?"

Everyone in the NASA control room turned to Robin's computer and saw Grace standing over it with her hand firmly on the launch button. Officer Charles' mouth dropped and he asked with disbelief, "What have you done you crazy girl."

Grace shook her head and said, "Before my dad left, he told me about Dr. Reader here. I know deep down he is trying to save us. So I did what no one else had the guts to do. Why would Dr. Reader go through so much trouble to help us if he just wanted the earth destroyed? I trust him and my dad more than this officer who just shows up out of the blue and gives commands that no one else in this room knows about."

Everyone in the room agreed and security detained Officer Charles. Dan Truman went to Robin's computer and started telling the room what was happening, "The three missiles are on target with the three points that we had determined to be the best points of impact. They are about to make contact. They have made contact! They are digging into the asteroid as we speak now! Oh no! One of the missiles must have been damaged! It has stopped at depth 279 feet!"

One of the team members shouted, "But there is enough fuel in them to tunnel at least 2000 feet!"

Officer Charles shouted from the chair he was tied to, "See! I tried to warn you that this was all just a set up!"

Dan shouted back, "Shout your mouth! This just tells us that this target area was fair denser than we predicted! As well as this missile might have been damaged while tunneling in! Robin planned for that and said that if the rocket fuel was compromised that his formula will mix with the unburnt rocket fuel and add to the blast radius! The other two are still tunneling on course! All three should still detonate at the same time!"

Dan turned back to the screen and said, "The other two missiles have just passed 600 feet. Now they have passed 800 feet. Both have passed 1,000 feet! Oh no! The second one has stopped at 1,182 feet. Let us pray that the third one makes it to 2,000 feet."

Everyone in the room went silent. Only Dan could be heard from time to time as he marked the depths. "1,250 feet. 1,500 feet. 1,750 feet. 2,000 feet! It has stopped at 2,345 feet as if by design!"

Dan took a deep breath and said, "Detonation is about to take place in five. Four. Three. Two. One. We have detonation." Everyone took another deep breath and waited. No one breathed for a full minute. That was when Colonel Sharp cheered through the intercom, "The asteroid has been turned to dust! I repeat! The asteroid has been turned to dust!"

Everyone in the room cheered and Colonel Sharp said, "I can't believe it actually worked. Whatever you lab guys cooked up literally turned that giant rock of death into dust! We are turning around and heading home now."

Grace turned to check on Robin but was shocked to discover that he had vanished. Only his cuffs remained. Officer Charles also noticed the still locked cuffs and said in a panic, "See! I told you! He must have been a spy! The fraud has vanished!"

Grace slapped Officer Charles and said, "That so called fraud just saved the world. I don't know who he was, but clearly he was a good man. Maybe the only way he could have been taken seriously was to forge papers and create a false ID. I'm glad he did, because of him, we are all safe, and my dad gets to see me marry the man I love."