Last Words

"Mayday. This is the Remote Scanning Outpost Paracelsus. Immediate assistance required. Message repeats. Mayday. This is—"

"Green Hills Orbital Control, this is Handle With Care. Our slip computer's malfunctioning, getting some crazy calculations back. Do we need a re-calibration, or are you getting anything weird there?"

"—interference is absurd, who the hell would jam civilian frequencies for a kick? Can't even tell if we're even reaching any—"

"Broadcast schedules may be interrupted periodically for special reports on these rogue weather patterns as the day continues. Remote areas may experience intermittent loss of sig—"

"Hello? Hello! . . I think we've lost contact with Paracelsus Station. Can anyone—"

"Christ, everyone alright?! I've never heard of an earthquake so short as strong as that."

"Up in the sky, look!"

"Attention all CMA forces, this is an emergency order. All personnel are to report to stations and mobilize for possible action. This is not a drill!"

"Can anyone hear us? Repeat, something's wrong, it's not a cloud formation! Something is making that—"

"Honey, honey—just pick up the kids and get out of there! Your parents' place should be far enough away."

"—huge! No, I've never seen anything like it!"

"—the Governor's office hasn't said anything about a visit, but it's far too large to be a routine patrol stop. The Navy must be—"

"Get everything we have in the air, now! Situation is crumbling, we need to establish an air presence now, before—"

"Please remember to move in a calm and orderly fashion to avoid injuring your fellow citizens. There is no cause for alarm."

"—massive energy buildup coming from the object over the city! It's going to—"

"Oh my god—"