Four figures stood grouped around a circular marble table, rimmed with a heavy band of lustrous gold.
Its shiny surface was completely bare yet several inches above it hovered a holographic, three-dimensional image of planet Earth, rotating slowly on its axis.
Looking closely, the white spirals of cloud could be seen in motion, swirling over the ochre and green continents.
Above the hologram, over the heads of the standing figures, vast, fluted stone pillars stretched up and up, supporting a high, domed ceiling, from which a soft, artificial white light diffused down into the windowless room.
Three of the men were dressed in expensive grey suits, mirrored sunglasses resting on their slicked back grey hair. They were grouped facing the fourth man across the table who, from his powerful stance and exceptional height was evidently their superior.
‘We know they are preparing to move it out of England,’ said one of the suited men.
Their Commander’s gaze rotated slowly to a bank of surround screens that took up three sides of the room. He scanned the tight patterns of energy waves, continuously moving over the screens for a long moment before he replied,
‘Do we have the vibrational anomalies pinpointed?’
‘Yes sir.’
‘Good.’
The Commander took two powerful strides towards the central table, his steps ringing out on the black and white chessboard floor.
He reached a long angular hand towards a concealed console built into the rim of the table and pressed a button, instantly the hologram began to change. Without actually growing in size, the image magnified, rapidly zooming in, closer and closer, till the partially obscured outline of the British isles could be seen.
The Commander’s pale skinned face stared intently at the image.
‘Show anomalies,’ he said clearly and instantly three highlighted, electronic dots were superimposed over the first image. He turned his attention back to the waiting, suited men and scanned them slowly.
‘The moment has come,’ his voice, though firm, lacked any emotion, ‘Bring them in.’
The men nodded assent and sliding their shades over their eyes, turned to leave the room.
Paul: December 15th