Artificial Earth

                                 09

Top Sciences Research Facility
E.A.R.T.H 02
Conference Room

"WHAT'S THIS ALL ABOUT?" Peter asked.
"Don't have a clue..." Maya replied.
Peter and Maya were seated next to each other while Jasper was standing near the entrance looking bored. Three other Lab Coats were also present, Allan Henderson from Communications Tech Division, Dr. Kathy Lee from Medical and Japanese Anthropologist Jiro Hasegawa.
"What's this all about?" Grey asked as he entered the room.
"Beats me, Maya sent me a text message telling me to be here by nine, said it was urgent." Jasper answered, looking at Maya.
"Maya?" Grey asked, turning towards her.
"Professor told me to assemble the team." Maya shrugged.
"I just got back from a meeting with the board...." Grey said, sitting on top of the table facing them.
"Since you people are all here, might as well tell you the good news....I just signed a contract extending funds for all Top Sciences Projects for another two years." Grey proudly announced.
A loud chorus of applause and whistles from everyone followed.
"And....wait....wait.....To celebrate this momentus occasion, I have generously used money, which will eventually be deducted from my salary, to treat you fine folks with food and champagne..." Grey added.
On that note, three trays of food and two bottles of champagne were brought in by caterers. Another chorus of applause and whistles erupted, Peter was already standing while tearfully applauding. Everyone in the room were in high spirits, and Jasper...well, he still looks bored.

"What's going on?" I asked, entering the room.
"Heeeyy Abby!" Grey cheerfully greeted me.
"Okay, Who won the lottery?" I jokingly asked, looking around.
"Grey got promoted." Jasper said.
"That's fantastic!" I exclaimed, turning towards Grey.
"Congratulations!" I said.
Jasper stifled laughter.
"I didn't get promoted, Jasper's just kidding." Grey said.
I turned towards Jasper and gave him the "evil eye." Jasper winked back, annoying me.
"However I did managed to extend fundings for all top sciences projects for another two years...Ahem." Grey bragged.
I turned my attention back to Grey again, ignoring Jasper. "That's wonderful!" I said.

"Can we start the meeting now so that I could open the champagne and get sloshed?" Jasper suggested, still looking bored.

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"Okay.....I know you all want to start partying and stuff, but before that, let's first move on to business..." I started.

"Peter sent me the weather data a few hours ago regarding the storms progress and development. Peter, would you please share it to the rest of the group...." I said, passing the floor to Peter.
"Aah...Yes...Ummm....The storm's still gaining strength, and is moving directly towards Marble City. What we are experiencing right now is but a fragment of the storms strength.... I'm sure many of you are aware that the average storm on the artificial planet lasts three to five days, however, this one is different. Because of the sheer vastness and strength of the storm, it would take 7 to 10 days before it leaves Marble City.
Another thing about this storm is that it's not normal, and if you were to be caught outside, extremely dangerous. You see....Unlike other storms, this one moves slowly yet it's strength and velocity increases. Expect lightning storms, hail, and debris.  A storm like this one would no doubt leave a path of destruction. I advice that we notify various agencies and pull our resources together so as to minimize further destruction and loss of lives..Those other cities and districts on the storms path should also be notified ahead so that they can have enough time to make and take necessary precautions and preparations." Peter explained.

"Now for the bigger problem.....here's the thing....Red spots kept popping up on different locations on our monitors, we also have abnormal readings or signatures on several large areas....I already took the liberty to ask Tech Division whether or not we have a glitch in our system, and tech confirmed that we don't. Meaning...those red dots and signatures are either magnetic interferences which is highly unlikely, massive amounts of radiation like an aftermath of a nuclear explosion, which is crazy of course or....this may sound incredulous and even crazier but because of data and several other factors ....in my own professional opinion...."
"Get to the point Peter." Grey impatiently said.
"Black Hole." Peter blurted.

Silence

"Ummm....Could you repeat that for me?..'coz I didn't think I got that right..." Grey winced.
"Black Hole. In this case, several of them varying in range and dimensions. I would also like to add that it's growing." Peter pointed out.
"This is..of course, only a theory."

"I would just like to add that,...News confirmed and reported a "Creature lurking in First Lake." I believe that there's a connection between Peters assumption of the existence or appearances of these black holes, the storm and the creature." I added.
"Why is that?" Grey worriedly asked.
"Because One of the location of those red dot's out on First Lake, exactly where the creature lies." I pointed out.

"So, First...We need to handle the storm. Second, We go to first lake to know what's really going on and Third...We need to find that creature." I concluded.

"I need a drink." Jasper said.

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Marble City News Office

"COME ON ED! I REALLY REALLY WANT that story..." Sarah said, frustrated.
"It's too dangerous Sarah, let someone else handle it." Ed said, lighting his tobacco.
"I'm totally cabable of taking care of myself." Sarah contested.
"This is different." Ed replied.
"It's not, I promise I'll be careful okay?" Sarah pleaded.
"No deal, too risky."
"Okay, I'll stay at least a hundred feet away from the area..." Sarah bargained.
"Sarah..."
"Please..."
"No."
"Please.."
"huummh." Ed sighed.
"Okay..."
"Yes!" Sarah triumpantly said.
"On one condition." Ed stressed.
"Okay, I'll do it."
"Wait, wait, wait..hold on a minute there.." he said
"You have to take Andy and Bob with you." Ed emphasized, smoking his tabacco.
"You gotta be kidding me right?" Sarah asked with heavy sarcasm.
"It's either that or you don't get to go." Ed said.
"Fine." Sarah said, feeling upset.
"Fine" Ed said. "And don't forget to stay out of trouble." he added.

Sarah Michael turned around and stormed out of the Editors Office.

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First Lake
District 02
9:00 pm

"Randy get over here!" Carl yelled.
"Man, we shouldn't be here." Randy worriedly voiced out.
"Don't worry, cops aren't gonna see us from here." Carl encouraged.
"It's not them I'm worried about." Randy said.
"What are you, chicken?" Jerremy teased.
"My momma's gonna be so pissed if she sees me all wet like this." Randy said.
"Dude for a black guy, youre totally weird." Jerremy said, wiping the rain off his face.
The three teenagers were crouched behind the rocks just a few feet above the lakeshore. Waves crashed violently against the stonewall below them. A yellow police line was tied around the area to keep people out. Two large tents serves as a temporary barracks for the policemen, positioned on the other side of the lake.
"Jerremy, did you bring the camera and flashlight?" Carl asked.
"Course I did. I'm not stupid." Jerremy said.
"What if they see us from here?" Randy asked.
"They won't, we're too far off and storm will keep them inside most of the time." Carl said. "Now gimme the flashlight.." he added.
"If we get lucky we might get some pictures of the thing, sell 'em for a good price." Carl reasoned.
"Give me that flashlight. You take the camera and be ready, we ain't gonna see anything if you don't point that light at the water." Jerremy said, taking the flashlight.

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"I wanna go home guys." Randy said. "We ain't seen anythin'...and it's cold." he complained.
"How long have we been here anyway?" Carl asked.
"Over an hour, I think.." Randy guessed.
"Come on Jerremy...." Carl said.
"Uuhh, my legs are numb, you guys go on ahead, I'll follow in a while." Jerremy said.
"We'll wait for you at the end of trail, don't take too long okay?" Carl said.
"Yeah, yeah..." Jerremy replied.

It struck like lightning, in a blink of an eye, the creature rose from the water, extended it's neck twenty feet in the air, and towered behind Jerremy.
In one swift motion it swooped down and devoured Jerremy while the two teenagers, unable to move, stood and watched in horror.

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Authors Note

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