Inside the subway, Elgoog city, Planet Dehzahk:
Fred turned and twisted the transmitter in his walkie-talkie as much as he could, but he was neither able to send or receive any message. He was out of range of satellite receivers. He took out his camera once again, took out and reinserted the battery. Still dead. He searched his backpack. Only three small boxes of home-cooked deer meat and one bottle of water remained. His stomach grumbled. He had hoped that he would reach Elppa by that noon, but nevertheless lost his way. He couldn't come up with any plans on an empty stomach. He did not want to empty his boxes ofmeat, but was unable to resist his hunger. Now, only two boxes of food remained and very little water. He didn't know when he would reach Elppa. Tears welled up in his eyes.
NSA, USA, Planet Earth:
The communication monitor beeped on.
"Hello Skarr, remember me? Bring me Ray will you?"
"I'm afraid he is sleeping, sir. He was working late last night."
"And what kept him up?"
"Move aside Skarr, I am awake. Hello Stefan. A month now? Why have you called me?"
"You said it yourself. A month. Where is my mission report?"
"On the table of the POTUS."
"Does Rivermont speak to you nowadays?"
"More than you do."
"Does he know?"
"Know what?"
"That you are reporting to the POTUS directly now?"
"He does know."
"Good to know that."
"Don't get mad at me Stefan, but why are you doing this? Were you not the one who said that this might kill people?"
"Do you really want to know?"
"Yes."
"This might sound a bit childish to you, but can I trust you with this secret?"
"Buddy, we have been friends since God knows when."
"One, I'm an atheist. And two, River is your friend too. I don't trust him with this secret of mine."
"Oh, stop it Stefan. Ray put this call on conference before he came up to the screen to speak with you. You can trust me."
"Bloody hell, Ray. Why do you do this to me?"
"Please Stefan. River and I are expecting some valid reason."
"Okay, okay. I tust you guys with my secret. Wait a second please."
Stefan made sure no one was spying on him. He asked Thomas to turn on CODE MUTE till the conversation was over and asked his personal secretary to stay outside and keep others from entering till he called or sent a word. After he was sure that it was safe, he continued.
"Ray, River, listen. Till now, only the four of us in this room of mine – Me, Thomas, Michael and Rose knew this. I trust them with my life, and I trust you too. What I am about to commit is treason and I know it. They joined me in this knowing they can also be arrested if the truth is out. But hear me out. If I tell this to you, you'll be in danger as well. If you want an out, now is the time."
"Treason? I've been waiting all my life to do such an act. Tell me!", Ray shouted at the top of his voice.
"And you, Riv?"
"Yes, yes, yasssssss!"
"Turn Skarr off for a while, Ray. And Riv, kick everyone ouut of your room."
"Done", said Ray.
"I'm a bachelor talking to you from his house with his private laptop.", saud Rivermont.
"So, this is about…"
Survivors camp, borders of Griseran forest, Retattwihqt village, Planet Dehzahk:
"Dad? My stupid father? Where are you?"
"I still am your father, you know that right?", said Geoffrey's father as he came out of a tent.
"I heard a recording at Fred's bunker. He's on his way to Elppa."
"Sounds familiar."
"Stop joking. Elppa temple."
"Oh crucified Christ! What is that kid up to now?"