Frozen Silence
№ 2 — Not fast enough
Several lab-coated scientists, and a cold-eyed military general, stood before a large wall-mounted display. In awed silence they watched a video feed from a drone as it circled a newly frozen patch of Amazonian rainforest. Mighty trees were coated in bluish white ice, their branches groaning beneath the sudden weight.
“I’d call that a success,” remarked one. This was followed by grunts of agreement. Someone clapped, and was disappointed that no one else joined in. The general crossed his arms tighter, so the lead scientist turned to him.
“Something wrong, General?”
“Were the trees aware before we attacked them?”
“Sorry?”
He turned to her fully.
“Before we hit them with our freeze ray. Did we broadcast our intent?”
She was not sure how to respond so looked to her colleagues for support.
“There was no way anyone, or anything, could have known,” offered a fellow scientist. “It was nearly instantaneous.”
“Nearly,” the General repeated, skeptical.
“Absolute instantaneity is impossible!” insisted another. It was the one who had clapped earlier, and he immediately regretted his tone.
The general issued a low growl. “Then it looks like we have more work to do,” he said. It was more of an order than a statement. He then turned on his heel and marched to the exit. Scientists scrambled to get out of the way.
Once he and his aide were gone, they all turned back to the monitor. On closer inspection they could see animals frozen in mid-stride. This caused their excitement to fade. In deflated silence they retreated back to their desks and lab tables.
“I hate this project,” someone called out. This was followed by more grunts of agreement.
Thanks to Microcosm for the 100 Day Challenge. 2 out of 100.
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