Chương 153: Chapter 151 – Right Answer, Wrong Question

The goosebumps lingering on Regina's arms felt like a physical manifestation of the historical revelation they had just witnessed. She stood motionless, the echoes of Rachel Sisson's desperate recordings still reverberating through the room. Roxie watched her carefully, recognizing the subtle tremor in Regina's clenched fists. Alex and Elena exchanged a quick glance, their scientific minds already racing to connect the dots between Rachel's recordings and the archeological evidence they had previously discovered.

Celestia looked to Seraphina for insight into the startling new revelations, but Seraphina's eyes showed she was just as confounded. Mikale leaned forward, his technical mind already trying to figure out what the sideways escape could possibly entail. Illianna sat wordlessly wiping tears from her cheeks, fearing what things her granddaughter would eventually face. She knew next to nothing about Mordak, but this new information gave her a far better understanding of his lineage.

"Shirley," Regina finally said, her voice low and controlled, "I need more."

"Certainly Regina," Shirley responded, her tone clinical yet somehow empathetic.

"The video diaries of Rachel Sisson represent a critical moment in pre Exodus documentation. What you have seen so far is only the beginning of how humanity transitioned from environmental crisis to evacuation." A timeline replaced the paused video on the monitor. Shirley highlighted several points.

"These spots represent Rachel's recordings as key data points. The recordings you just witnessed were made during what researchers later termed the Accelerated Collapse Period." She tapped a section of the graphic.

"These events occurred approximately six months before the first successful exit from the human realm. Rachel Sisson was not just a researcher. Her documentation makes understanding these events possible. She recorded this civilization's final moments and chronicled the birth of another." The room fell silent as Shirley continued.

"The events in this area," she said, highlighting a small portion of the timeline, "are what is most relevant right now. There are certain aspects I cannot share with any of you at this time. The clearance for that information has not been established."

"How do we get everything unlocked so we can see the full picture?" Seraphina asked, frustration rising.

"Other than the crucial key pairs, time is the only other consideration. If certain events do not occur, that portion will remain locked." Shirley paused.

"Seraphina, there are some things that cannot be rushed or trifled with. I have confidence that all will be revealed at the right time and in the right order. You need to find a way to trust the process." Seraphina gritted her teeth and folded her arms.

"Whatever," she said with a huff.

"Would you like to see the next recording?" Shirley asked. The question was rhetorical.

"I must warn you, the content becomes increasingly complex and at times graphic. It is recommended that Thai does not view these videos until she is much older and better equipped to handle the subject matter." This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

"She is asleep in another room with Rowan watching over her," Illianna said softly.

"Thank you for that information Illianna," Shirley replied. She paused for several seconds.

"I have modified my sensors to alert me if their energy signatures move closer. This will prompt the video screen to pause and fade to black if she gets within proximity." She paused again.

"If there are no further questions or comments, I will begin the next video in five, four, three, two, one." The video flickered to life, the image grainy and slightly distorted. Unlike the previous recordings, this one appeared to be filmed in a space that was part laboratory and part makeshift bunker. Stacks of servers hummed in the background, their blinking lights forming an almost rhythmic pattern against the concrete walls. Rachel Sisson looked different, more haggard, her lab coat replaced by survival gear.

"July fifteenth, twenty thirty," she began, her voice rougher than before. A loud boom echoed in the distance, causing her to pause and glance over her shoulder.

"Dr. Chin's project is no longer theoretical. We have moved beyond calculations and into something… I am not sure the word impossible even applies anymore."

"We are running out of time. This is the state of the world from the satellite system we were able to hijack." Real time footage began to play. Cities were on fire. Bombs fell. Dead bodies filled suburban streets. Major thoroughfares were blocked by unmoving cars. Soldiers shot civilians on sight. The group gasped as a soldier killed three small children before turning his gun on the screaming mother and infant she held.

"Blackwood and his cronies have evacuated to secure bunkers worldwide as they declared war on the rest of society," Rachel said, revulsion clear on her face.

"The military has a take no prisoners approach now. They kill on sight. With food and drinkable water becoming increasingly rare, Blackwood is diverting everything to his facilities. People are killing one another for a glass of fucking water." Her voice cracked. The video cut out for a moment, then resumed.

"Sorry. I needed a moment," Rachel said, her eyes red rimmed.

"We have about three months of supplies, but they are going fast as we take in new refugees daily. The science team is developing water purification systems and sustainable food sources, but the yield does little to satisfy the demand." She shifted in her chair. The camera caught a glimpse of a bulletin board behind her, covered in handwritten charts, diagrams, and rationing lists.

"Dr. Chin's team has been working on something beyond survival," she said, her voice gaining a hint of hope.

"Our water purification system is not just about cleaning what we have. We are developing a method that can extract potable water from nearly any source. Contaminated groundwater, atmospheric moisture, even sources that would have been considered completely unviable before. The filtration technology could potentially regenerate entire ecosystems. If we survive long enough to implement it."

"Project Exodus is on track for completion, but we do not believe we will be able to test the machine before using it. The situation is too dire. We need to begin shifting the refugees. We hope to take as many as we can, but with things deteriorating so quickly…" She paused, choking up.

"It is unlikely we will be able to." A loud boom shook the bunker, dust and plaster falling from the ceiling like snow.

"I have to reach shelter. The bombs are getting closer," Rachel said, reaching for something off screen. The video cut to black. The room sat in stunned silence, the weight of Rachel's recording hanging heavy in the air. Each person seemed lost in their own thoughts, processing the glimpse into humanity's downfall.

"Shirley," Mikale began, "what was Project Exodus? It has been mentioned but not explained."

"Mikale, I do not think I can answer that question in its current form," Shirley replied, leaving him to ponder her response. It is not about the answer. It is about how the question is asked, he thought. Then it hit him. He snapped his fingers.

"Shirley, is Project Exodus the development of an inter dimensional teleportation device?"

"Very good Mikale. I can answer that question. Yes, the Exodus project was the development of inter dimensional travel," Shirley replied cheerily.