Dark Justice

In homes and offices throughout the world, a fair-haired man in a navy blue suit appears on a television screen. The man, who identifies himself as Robert Rhinehart, is seated at a desk with monitors behind him, his grim face expressing an awareness that something terrible has happened.

“Ladies and gentlemen, we are interrupting this broadcast to bring you a special news bulletin,” he begins. “Moments ago, we received word that there was a massive explosion at the Ivory Tusks Tower during the much anticipated Conference of National and Class Leaders. I’ve been informed that the explosion ripped through an upper section of the Ivory Tusks Tower, but it is unclear what effect, if any, this has had on the conference. At this point, information is sketchy on what might have caused….” the anchorman pauses as he lifts his right hand to adjust his earpiece.

“Excuse me, ladies and gentlemen, but I’ve just received word that one of our reporters, Linda Cyr, is standing by. Let’s take you now to our Boston affiliate.”

A young, attractive reporter appears on the screen. Behind her, taking up the entire background, is the enormous, magnificent Ivory Tusks Tower, the largest building ever built and the greatest wonder of the world, far surpassing the awe and splendor of the pyramids or other great masterworks passed down through civilization. It is also the headquarters of the powerful World Council of Classes who are meeting in conference there today.

Suddenly the picture on the TV screen changes. A huge, unrecognizable and gapping hole filled with smoke, fire, and debris flying all around can be observed.

“Robert, as you see from this aerial shot, there has been extensive damage just below the World Dome,” she begins. “Eyewitnesses report that the explosion occurred a short time ago and tore though the upper portion of the space pillar. It was so powerful and intense that it knocked them to the ground and literally was seen from their vantage point. Also, according to several of the eyewitnesses, the sound and vibrations generated by the explosion were so forceful that they shattered windows from nearby skyscrapers.”

“Excuse me, Linda, for just a moment,” Robert cuts in. “Do we have any information yet as to what may have caused this explosion?”

“From what we’ve been able to gather up until now,” Linda responds, “the Ivory Tusks Tower’s missile defensive system was on a scheduled test cycle and it appears that this may have led to the unforeseen incident. None of the eyewitnesses that we spoke to appear to have seen or heard anything out of the ordinary until just moments before the explosion occurred.”

“Linda, do we have any information at all about this system?” Robert inquires.

“What we do know about this particular one,” she explains, “is that it is an air-to-air missile defense system, specifically designed for the Ivory Tusks Tower as a precautionary measure against acts of aggression from the skies. In a conversation with building officials not long after the explosion, I was able to obtain information on the location of the command center.

The Tusks Interceptors, which is what the system’s defense missiles are called, have a command center that has been confirmed by defense administrators to be on the 447^th floor and in the area that we speculate the explosion took place. However, due to the highly secretive nature of the system, we were unable to obtain any real concrete data other than what we’ve just provided to our viewers at home.”

“Has there been word from any of the members of the World Council of Classes,” Robert asks, “or from anyone else on the floors above the explosion?”

Linda shakes her head and responds in the negative. However, she quickly adds that this situation could change at any moment.

Finishing her sentence, she turns to observe red and blue flashing lights that can be seen coming from emergency units off in the distance. Then, looking back at her viewers, microphone in hand, she begins:

“As all of us know, this could not have come at a worse time. About thirty minutes from now, the voting was scheduled to begin on a new world government or—as President Weller calls it—a new world order. Tensions over the last few weeks seem to be coming to a boil as the United States continues to resist becoming integrated within its own designated class. This obviously leaves many uncertainties for the World Council on how to handle the United States, should this historic vote pass today.

Based on information gathered over the last few months, our public opinion polls show that today’s vote is expected to be ratified by a nine-to-one margin by the delegates of the World Council, an opinion clearly stating that national sovereignties will no longer be honored. And we also know that President Weller ...