Mr
Smith.
Please
allow me to introduce myself. I am Peter Gideon, formerly Admiral
Gideon of the US Navy.
First,
let me impress upon you the need for absolute secrecy in this matter.
The ECC has confirmed that with the certainty of crop failures, and
the loss of habitat for key ecological species, we can expect the
total collapse of all economic and agricultural industry. Put simply
sir, you are one of the hundred wealthiest men on the planet, and you
will be starving to death with the rest of us within the next ten
years.
Obviously,
this information is to be kept strictly confidential. Social
resources are already maxed out, and news that we are well into the
twilight of all civilisation will only make the inevitable worse than
it needs to be. Given that there is no longer any point in saving
toward the future, we thought that you might be interested in
something more ambitious.
Enclosed,
you will find a packet that describes our new construction project,
and the details of its facilities. The appropriate speed and effort
must be put into building it, before Total Collapse renders all plans
academic. The Ark is already under construction in the only place
that we can be absolutely certain of our privacy: The Ocean.
Please
take the time to look over the images of our luxury rooms, and our
recreational facilities, including full casino, movie theatre,
restaurants, gyms, and water park. We are aware that an exclusive
undersea resort is not a new idea; but what we offer you is Permanent
Resident Status.
But
this is no mere Five Star Hotel; it's the only place on this earth
that will remain untouched by the total collapse of all civilisation.
By acting quickly and with full financial support, we can assure our
high standards of quality and comfort are met, and matched by the
practicality and difficulties of producing a new Noah's Ark.
And
a new Noah's Ark is what this is. Far beyond all the luxury, there
will be genetic samples of all the life-forms this planet has, plant
and animal; along with equipment enough to clone them back to life,
and facilities to adapt them to the needs of whatever the world will
be, far in the future. It is, quite literally, the only place where
we can place our hopes for the future, and be certain of its safety.
The
governments of the world have realized this, and are planning similar
measures on land, but I'm sure I don't need to tell you how desperate
their own situations are getting, and their projects do not have the
funding or resources to complete their plans before Total Collapse.
Creating
a place where it's possible to wait out the end of the world and
start again will take no small amount of resources, which is why the
offer of permanent resident status is being made only to yourself,
and a very select group of the population. The price for a room, to
be yours for the rest of your natural life, and then inherited by
your heir, will be set at Thirty Billion Euro, per person. All in
advance.
We
are certain that someone in your position will have all the needed
skills to conceal the movement of vast amounts of money. And since in
ten years, you'll be penniless and starving, as the world collapses
around you; I really think you can see the appeal of being far away
when the Total Collapse occurs. We will give you a life of luxury and
comfort, in exchange for your entire fortune.
This
may seem mercenary, sir; but as you well know, no government could
hope to finance such an ambitious operation; and the fate of all
living things are at stake.
If
you agree, we will be in contact with you shortly. Should you decide
not to accept, we will go to the next person with your kind of
wealth, and you are free to take your chances on the surface. Either
way, I'm sure you can appreciate the need for absolute secrecy.
Yours
faithfully,
(Admiral)
Peter Gideon.
~~/*\~~
To:
White House; President of the United States
From:
Peter Gideon
Eyes
Only:
Strictly
Confidential
Re:
The Project
Mister
President.
All
11,598 possible donors have been approached, with the promise of
Permanent Resident Status on the Ark-Hive. You were correct, sir;
they almost uniformly jumped at the chance. Based on the reactions
I've heard over the last eight months, I honestly don't know which
was worse for them: The fear of getting killed, or the mortal fear of
their money becoming worthless.
Fifteen
have decided they cannot leave their families, or the surface for a
variety of reasons. Nobody will be learning of The Project from them.
Shipments
of supplies to the Ark-Hive is proceeding ahead of schedule, thanks
to the influx of funding. Construction is complete. We could have
done so faster, but several of the 'Investors' wanted to tour the
facilities, and keeping them out while managing to maintain security
was not feasible, so we had to go and build the damn luxury resort
like we told them we would.
Actually,
it worked out for the best. Our actual staff has expressed a desire
to make use of the facilities, and since the living modules were all
completed according to advertised specifications, they are all in
working order. A hundred years ago, the view out these transparent
hotel room walls would have been glorious; but with the Oceans going
extinct with the rest of it; that's a view our great-grandchildren
will enjoy.
Doctor
McKay assures me that the cloning facilities can accommodate
repopulating of the ocean's animals once the water recovers; as well
as the food supply for the Ark-Hive's inhabitants. He and his team
have agreed to come with us. Their research into bioengineering will
accelerate our ability to repopulate by a good half century. Also,
his expertise in engineering bacterial growth may help enhance our
ability to respond to pressure changes, thus widening the limits of
our habitat zone. At a generous estimate, only 5% of the ocean, most
of which is within 300m of the surface, has in fact been charted.
It's difficult to predict what will happen with so many unknowns.
As
for our Investors, we are telling them that they all have to come
aboard at the same time; for secrecy purposes. They have all agreed
to that, and the USS Stingray is in the area, to make sure they never
reach the rendezvous. The Captain of the Stingray is of course
unaware of the Ark-Hive Project; he thinks the target is an
anti-terrorism measure.
When
the news of the Mid-West's infertility reaches the public, there will
be a massive run on the market, and everyone will wonder where the
top money-makers of the planet are. That's the deadline. It may be
possible to keep their departure quiet, given the mass suicides that
have already broken out. The last time the Market crashed like this,
the billionaires jumped out the windows.
I
know you're having trouble with this, Jeff; but if we tried to pull
it off with Government money, there's no way it would ever succeed,
and the Project would end... and the entire world would end with it.
Are
you very sure you won’t come with us?
Yours
very faithfully
Peter
Gideon
~~/*\~~
2072:
Martial Law is Declared, and all properties seized. The act covers
the loss of several trillion dollars from the common markets, and the
Ark-Hive Project remains secret.
2073:
The World Union concedes that the Market will never reopen. The Outer
Provinces declare Independence in order to keep local militia under
control, due to out of control rioting and starvation. National
Governments are dissolved.
2076:
The Surface Wars end with mass defections, and starvation for all
armies en-route. The climate Cascade is realised, as mass extinction
of many key animal species causes breakdown in growing cycle.
2080:
Drones from the Ark-Hive go to the surface and begin recon checks.
Soil tests are declared non-responsive; and air levels fully toxic.
The Earth is no longer viable for plant, animal or human life.
2081:
The Ark-Hive is declared the last confirmed outpost of human
habitation; and Operation Deep Phoenix begins. Admiral Gideon
declares the Ark to be the Last Hope of the Earth.
2084:
Admiral Gideon is assassinated. Independent Tribunal begins
investigating. The Investigation lasts three weeks before the Science
Directorate demands free elections to choose replacement, rather than
military chain of command structure.
2085:
Professor McKay takes command of the Ark as Director; and declares
Operation Deep Phoenix a civilian organisation. The military remnant
is disbanded under protest, and reorganised into a police and
exploration unit.
2090:
Deep Water Probes begin tracking recovery of Oceans. Bioengineering
teams begin developing augmented coral and phytoplankton species,
that can withstand the underwater climate.
2092:
First exploratory team returns to the surface to replace aerial
drones and air quality probes. There were no survivors. Augmented
Dolphins are cloned as working animals. The first practical
demonstration of Ocean Solutions.
2095:
Sub-Surface Flora is introduced to oceans, and thrives. Life-Balance
of the Oceans begins to improve. Bioengineering increases in scope,
working from stored genetic samples. Air drones have noted severe
temperature drop due to climate shift. Surface begins to experience a
second Ice-Age. Steam Output from Ark-Hive's Geo-Thermal Plant allows
for warmer water in local vicinity. Stronger breeds of coral and
plant life are not affected by cooler temperatures.
2231:
The Aqua Movement is founded by Thomas Arden, proposing the taming
and permanent colonization of the entire ocean floor.
2236:
Thomas Arden dies in an accident, the Aquan Philosophy continues.
2345:
Ice Age declared over, as pack ice melts and surface becomes
accessible again. New Aerial Probes are launched, and surface is
still unsuitable for life; but air quality has recovered enough to
support augmented plant and animal life. Remote Probes released from
Ark-Hive to begin re-seeding surface life.
2350:
Admiral Gareth Bridger becomes first military officer to achieve rank
of Director since Admiral Gideon's death. Aqua Members call for
public forum on whether or not to continue with plans to recolonise
the surface.
2351:
Cora Bridger born.
2353:
Aqua Movement declared illegal, due to division of resource
management, and violent protest actions.
2354:
Aquan Purges declared over. Stingray Squad given full authority to
ensure the Aquan Philosophy dies with them. Director Bridger insists
that the original intention of Ark-Hive remains unchanged.
2371:
Surface probes return positive results for the first time.
Results
are rigged to hide that the surface is once again viable for
Landfall.