Chapter 81: All-Seeing Eye (Part 2) Iii (1/2)
”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 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?”