Foreshadows

Chaos Exiting the cube onto the eighty-sixth floor, Tabitha was practically knocked off her feet by one of the sound men scurrying away as though he were on a mission of life and death. Opening her mouth in protest, her words froze in her throat as she caught a glimpse of the frightened expression on his face. Her sixth sense filled her with the realization that something was definitely wrong, and she began to steel herself as she approached the director's office, which, from all outward appearances, seemed to be the center of total chaos. The entrance to his office was impossibly blocked with a tangle of people rushing back and forth. All activity appeared to be orchestrated by a familiar deep bellow that resounded from within, and in response, a pathway magically opened before her. As she worked her way through elbows and feet, a hush fell over the employees as all eyes turned to fasten on her. What she saw radiating from them sent warning signals to her sixth sense that whatever news was awaiting her was definitely not good. Lifting her chin in stubborn determination, and refusing to allow anyone to see the fear that was just below the surface, she advanced into the room with more confidence than she felt. Her resolve faded at the sight of Eliphaz pacing back and forth across the expanse of his spacious office. The room was one continuous oval wall consisting of a myriad of large viewing screens, each revealing a different section of the world's hemispheres, allowing him first-hand knowledge of events of utmost importance. Behind his desk, which was strategically placed in the center of the room, was a solid bank of windows allowing him a breathtaking panorama of the city of Eden, with its lush vegetation and exquisite buildings shimmering in the morning mist. With a threatening look towards the throng of faces staring expectantly at him, the curious staff quickly and quietly melted out the door, which automatically closed behind them. An uneasy silence hung in the air for what seemed like an eternity until suddenly Tabitha felt the need to sit down before her legs no longer supported her. Sinking into one of several leather couches, she followed his horrified gaze towards the large screen to the right of her. The scene playing out before them defied description, for what should have been a tranquil view of Mesha known for being a city of ethereal beauty, was a wasteland of rubble, smoke, explosions and chaos, filled with the tormented screams of sons and daughters of Adam in anguish. Eliphaz responded to her questioning gaze with a move of his hand across a control panel on his desk, bringing to view in a smaller monitor, revealing a transmission that made her blood run cold as she watched in disbelief.