The Celestial Window

Somewhere across the world, vigilant eyes were transfixed on screens, with nervous fingers hovering over buttons. Technicians, chained to their stations began the night-shift. Their routines up until then had been fairly mundane; keeping vigils on vacant monitors that had always ended in handovers to colleagues. The atmosphere hanging over them now promised a long night-shift, and one that heralded a day that could end all days. A young man, sitting at his monitor, uncharacteristically pondered the folly of man. The science that had brought all this about had shown so much promise during its infancy. Derived from the physics of the universe, it was envisaged as a technology that could revolutionise the future for humanity. Institutions were founded to research and develop the nuclear concept, they, soon realising there was profit to be made, and a thriving business that could generate jobs for thousands. The future seemed rosy until the irritability in mankind found a more sinister use for this new power. Entering an era of fear and distrust, governments instructed their scientists to develop the nuclear deterrent; subsequent tests revealing the awesome power unleashed from a single detonation. But the full potential was not realised until used to end a conflict, and when an unimaginable aftermath was revealed. The world’s eyes gazed on, stunned by the agony of a people where it was considered; those who had perished were the fortunate ones. For decades after, a fragile peace fell upon Sanctus, as the realisation dawned on humanity that such power could obliterate life on a world. But now a new mode of thought was emerging, and one that would pose a formidable threat to all life in the future. In the radical mind, a rationale was developing that considered their cause worth dying for, but the practicalities of this new doctrine did not consider the innocent. Exploiting new technology, the nuclear aspect had finally fallen into radical hands. Past outrages that befell humanity, with the loss of copious innocent lives, had now been upgraded to the potential for world destruction. The young man stared at his monitor, visualising his wife and children. A sudden moment of confusion swept over him, filling him with doubts about his chosen career. He had trained for this job, not only to provide for his family, but help protect them, those like them, and his country. He believed he had responded to the call of his destiny, criticising those who benignly followed the doctrine of the Infinite One that symbolically asked a soul to offer the other cheek. He nervously contemplated the new threat that loomed the following day at twelve noon. The world had effectively called the bluff of that belligerent regime, but if they had misread their intent… He gazed down at the doomsday button in front of him, and then across to his colleague staring at his monitor, he, oblivious of the thoughts tracking through the young man’s mind. In the worst scenario they would have to turn their keys in unison to activate the system. He visualised the silos opening above through which the missiles would rise, bearing their lethal payloads. Beads of sweat formed over his brow; nervously contemplating the thought of being party to the possible destruction of his world...