Okay, this is another chapter that doesn't have Sabrina or Puck in it. I needed to explain what happened. They'll be in the next one, I swear. :-)
Disclaimer: Michael Buckley owns the Sisters Grimm. I do not.
Everything was hazy as Karen slammed her fist onto the alarm button, and as the whining sound started, she realized the enormity of the situation.
Rushing back across the room, she picked up the phone, dialing so fast she messed up the number. Cursing, she slammed the receiver down and lifted it back up.
Finally, finally, the call went through.
"Mr. President? Mr. President, we have a problem." She clicked the speakerphone button, and collapsed in her swivel chair. Turning sharply to her computer, she typed rapidly.
"Mr. President, forgive me for not introducing myself, but we have an urgent situation that needs your attention. I'm Karen Birchwood, calling from the National Association of Scientists." As the information she was searching for came up, Karen explained the situation.
"Mr. President, about a month ago, we received a report from NASA. The report detailed an asteroid found about 2 light years from Earth. After studying it for two weeks, we decided that it posed no particular threat to Earth or any other surrounding planets."
Karen paused for breath, then continued.
"Two hours ago, we received another report detailing that same asteroid. It seems that it's on a collision course with Earth. And… I don't know how to say this… but the asteroid… It's extremely radioactive. It's glowing green. The level of radioactivity is estimated to be over 300 sv."
A few wayward tears escaped Karen's eyes.
"The scientists at NASA, they said that there is no way anyone could survive that level of radioactivity. Best-case scenario, everyone dies on impact. Worst case, there are survivors. Anyone who survives would be horribly mutated."
Karen's tears slid down her face as she contemplated her immanent death. The President's voice came through the phone.
"Tell them… take them all underground. To the bomb shelters. Don't say what's happening, they'll all be hysterical. Alert all other countries, make sure they know what's going on. And once that's done, get yourself to a shelter. God Speed, Karen Birchwood."
The phone clicked.
Karen numbly turned the speakerphone off. She picked the phone up again, and upon hearing the dial tone, punched in another number.
"I have orders from the President to evacuate to the underground bomb shelters. I repeat, evacuate."
Poor Karen. That's probably the last time we'll hear from her. I hope this is moving on quickly enough for you. I'll try to update at least every other day. REVIEW!