Chapter 81 (1/2)
Chapter 81: All-seeing Eye (Part 2) III
”Wait for me to what?” I asked .
Laughter erupted from the opposite side . ”I've been observing for three whole months now . . . ”
”Three months?” I repeated, thinking through the recent happenings .
It wasn't surprising for people in my line of work to attract enemies, especially when I tell those burly fellows that they were going to die the next day . They would argue and curse non-stop .
Even after their deaths, their family and friends would continue haunting me .
Some were even convinced that I was the cause of the tragedy .
As such, I developed the habit of collecting payment before speaking .
There were many potential clients but I would only receive two to three of them a month .
And the so-called endless interviews . . . I would only accept one in two months just to keep my business warm .
As for the television program, I didn't expect something like that to happen .
The person in the front of the car continued, ”Eight years ago, after graduation, you started revealing your ability . You were working in a factory while telling fortune part-time . You predicted many fortunes accurately, telling them they were all going to die soon . I remember it was your 16th client that brought you to fame . An old man of 101 years consulted you and you told him that he could live till 109 . The last time he visited you was about a year ago, when you informed him that he had only a few more months left and that he shouldn't look for you again . From then on, your reputation as Supernova started booming . ”
I clenched my teeth . This guy knew a lot about me .
”What are you trying to say?” I asked .
”Supernova, sir, exactly what powers do you have? How are you able to predict death?”
”It's just what I do . Is it very strange?”
”Let me a.n.a.lyze your ability then,” he replied faintly .
With a cold smile, I continued, ”Seems like you've done a thorough investigation, but why don't you know my place of residence? You could've found me directly . Why did you have to frighten my father?”
”Because he was the one who provided me with some important information . How else would I know that there had been a cat involved before this? Of course, instead of talking, the cat would lie on the dying patient's bed . Yet, not only can you tell, you can even roughly predict the time of death . ”
”How detailed . Don't tell me that you're sending me to read the fortune of a big figure? Like a gang leader or the president? Well, here's what I can tell you - in a few hours, everyone will be dead . ”
The two soldiers closest to me shuddered . I could sense their fear .
”You've calculated that?” the man on the front seat asked nervously .
I was stunned by his question . Calculated?
They know? So it's all true? Everything that I've seen?
”I thought you just
wanted to know if I can predict death? Why are you so surprised by what I just said?” I questioned .
The man actually smiled . ”I'm a scientist so everything requires objective evidence . After all, you're a safe bet in our Plan B . With or without you, there isn't much difference . ”
A safe bet in Plan B? Not much difference?
”Why bother taking me then?”
”I'm a scientist, Mr . Supernova . Frankly speaking, I don't believe in what you do since it's not something science can explain, but since the whole human race is at stake, I would appreciate if you can be more cooperative . ”
”You want cooperation?” I asked .
”Of course . For the human race . ”
”So you get your soldiers to point their guns at me to require my cooperation? What ever happened to just saying 'pretty please'?” I mocked .
”You can make requests but I can't take any of them away . They belong to the military and they are not under my control . ”
”Tell me why the world is about to end . I only know that everyone has less than a day left,” I stated .
After a few seconds of silence, he asked, ”Do you know Apophis?”
”No,” I answered .
”It is an asteroid that's about to hit Earth . It will reach our atmosphere in about 14 hours . What we need to do now is intercept it . We took you just in case we need your help . ”
”Wait . The world is ending in about 14 hours and you spent some of that valuable time waiting for me at my Dad's place . Now, you keep repeating that I'm unimportant? That's very hypocritical of you,” I mused laughingly .
”Our psychologists had predicted that you would make a trip home before the end of the world . ” He paused . ”I have a call, give me a moment . . . ”
After half an hour on the phone, he asked me angrily, ”When did you announce it to the world?”
”An hour and a half ago . What about it?”
”An hour ago, some scientists and astronomy enthusiasts came out to verify your prediction . The whole world, including the governments of other countries, is looking for you right now,” he stated .
I was in shock . Whitewashed so quickly?
The car came to a halt and the soldiers got off .
A white-gowned scientist came to the back . ”Let's go, my Supernova . ”
He was the one on the front seat .
Without a choice, I got down, and three soldiers followed behind me, pus.h.i.+ng me to a museum .
The museum had been converted into a temporary meeting room . There were many people inside, facing their monitors, busily typing away .
The scientist spoke up, ”Government officials from all over the world are aware of your ability . If the world doesn't end, you're probably going to be locked up and reduced to an experimental subject, Mr . Supernova . But if you can help us save mankind, I promise that the next half of your
your life will be safeguarded . ”
I had nothing to say to that .
Inside the room, all I saw were monitors and employees .
I was allocated a seat .
On the stage stood a person – our very own president .
”Why did he choose this place?” I asked the scientist .
He smiled . ”This is just a control room . The real operation is going on in all corners of the world . This is merely a projection . Don't you know about Crypton Future Media? Holographic projection technology? That's what the president is using to instruct everybody . ”
”That works?” I asked .
The holographic figure of the president pointed at me . ”You're Mr . Supernova?”
”What the f*ck?” I yelped . ”He can see me?”
”Of course . He's in the capital, launching a meeting through hundreds of projections from all over the world . It's easier this way,” the scientist explained .
”It's about time . Good to see you, Mr . Supernova . Do you know why you're here?” the president asked .
I shook my head .
”Haven't you made it clear, Professor Doug? We don't have much time left . I'll give you five minutes,” the president rushed .
”There are 50 s.p.a.cecraft in our formation, and a commander-in-chief will lead the operation to deviate Apophis's trajectory . You'll need to use your ability to let us know whether the earth is safe,” he explained .
”I understand, but what am I supposed to do?” I clarified .
The scientist looked at me, wide-eyed . ”You're asking me ? How would I know your trick to predicting death?”
”Can I use the equipment here?” I asked .
”You're saying that your prediction requires the tools here? Which one? Telephone or the net?”