Colossus By Design: Entry 0056 - Wake Up

[November 15, 2145]
[Moon's surface]
[Global Union of Divisions Extra-Solar Observatory Base]
[Underground holding room currently containing anomalous pulsating asteroid]


(Researcher 1): Do you hear that?


[Asteroid begins pulsating a red color in a rhythmic manner, almost like speech]


(Researcher 2): I do. It seems as though we must dissect this object.

(Researcher 1): Are you sure it's safe?

(Researcher 2): Yes. There is in fact a specific way we must separate this shell, and it has told us how.

(Researcher 1): Ah, I understand now. Everyone, prepare for cutting procedures! Follow our exact guidelines for it!

(All): Yes, sir!


[All personnel scramble to their positions; miners climb on top of the asteroid]
[Laser cutters are lowered and begin working their way across the surface of the asteroid; miners use handheld ion torches as well]
[Several hours later, the asteroid is evenly cut down the middle, separated into two halves]


(Researcher 1): Excellent. We have done our duties.

(Researcher 2): Indeed. Soon, everything wil--

(Communications Officer): SIRS! WE HAVE INCOMING!


[Both lead researchers follow the communications officer to the main communication hub; they look at the screens]
[A transport shuttle is seen approaching the base]


(Transport Shuttle): [COMMS] On the request of the Global Union of Divisions, you are ordered to cease all activities for our investigation of this observatory base.

(Researcher 1): What do we do? There aren't any firearms aboard this base to defend ourselves with, and the vessel approaching is a military escort transport!

(Unknown Booming Voice): BRING THEM.


[Transport shuttle docks inside the hangar; soldier rush out]
[Lead researchers walk towards the soldiers]


(Researcher 2): Gentlemen, nice of you to join us--

(G.U.D. Captain): Shut up! We're here to investigate your activities on this base.

(Researcher 2): Of course. Follow us.


[Researchers lead the soldiers to the holding area of the anomalous asteroid]


(G.U.D. Captain): Alright, what the hell's going on?

(Researcher 1): We have indeed been hiding something.

(Researcher 2): This asteroid has been displaying rather strange effects.

(Researcher 1): We performed further tests, for we needed to determine what exactly was the reasoning behind the strange properties.

(Researcher 2): But in the process, we realized that we needed to hide this from you.

(Researcher 1): I'm afraid we'll have to ask you to leave now.

(G.U.D. Captain): Forget about it! You're all under military arrest!


[Soldiers aim their weapons at the researchers, but as they do, one of the halves of the asteroid begins pulsating a bright yellow colour]
[An enormous energy wave ripples throughout the base, instantly vaporizing all humans in the area in addition to destabilizing systems all across the base]
[Base begins to crumble and fall apart; the two asteroid halves crack and pulsate with energy]

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[November 16, 2145]
[Cambridge, British origin island]
[Cambridge Astronomical Communications Centre]


(Communications Officer 1): What the..... are any of you getting this?

(Communications Officer 2): Yeah, but--

(Head Researcher): What the bloody hell is going on?

(Communications Officer 2): Sir..... we've just received news on the moon base.

(Head Researcher): Well, what's the news?

(Communications Officer 1): The base has been destroyed.