Chapter 2
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Eve and her parents watched president Mason begin his speech. Like the rest of the world they had no idea about the shock they were about to recieve.
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" My fellow Americans, I have chosen this moment to reveal the truth to you because this will be watchen by many, and because I urge calm. Ten minutes ago, U.S. ambassadors to every nation on Earth, told the leaders of those countries what I am about to tell you. On December 7th, 2032, NASA satellites detected an asteroid, and it is on a possible collission course with Earth. We are developing methods to divert or destroy this asteroid. Life will go on, but it may not go on for everyone. If we are not successful, the asteroid's impact will create a cloud of dust that the sun will be unable to penetrate for at least 100 years. The asteroid is scheduled to hit the earth on July 20th 2036, well over three years from now. While we believe the asteroid can be stopped, we must also take precautions. In a few weeks the United States will begin building helter, some within mountains, some underground, capable of growing plants, food, even artificial oxygen to keep our species alive. It is estimated that, combined, these shelters, or Arks, will be able to sustain six million of our people. Regretably, that is less than two percent of America's population. Other nations will also build similar shelters, and determine who gains access based on whatever lines they feel are best. This is ours. Ten percent of those in the Arks will be chosen for special skills. Doctors, farmers, engineers, and so forth. They will ofcourse sustain their Arks, and teach others these valuable skills. The other 90 percent will be chosen in a random lottery. The lottery will be done in six stages. On the first of every month beginning on January 1st 2036. Those chosen will be taken over the next week after being selected. Those who help build these shelters will have their names added to the lottery additional times, but every American citizen will have their name in the lottery at least once. We have hard times ahead, ut if we stand together, we can overcome this. For the first time in the history of the planet a species has the technology, the resources, and the strength to prevent it's own extinction. Each step in the ladder of technology, every adventurous reach into the unknown, even the wars we have fought, has led us to this moment. Make no mistake, we are all in this together now.