2041 Sanctuary (Dark Descent) by Robert Storey Read Free Book Online Page A

Joiner over the years and represented an asset he could ill afford to lose at this point in time. If the evil bastard were to drop dead now , he thought, it could prove a significant annoyance .
    As the summit got underway, Joiner took another sip of his water and tuned in to proceedings. When each person spoke they utilised a sophisticated translation algorithm to ensure everyone present received the most accurate information in real-time; each team had back-up translators in order to make sure no errors were made, but it enabled a flowing interaction between all speakers, regardless of their mother tongue; a true technical marvel of the modern age.
    ‘As you can see,’ a climate and ecosystem expert from France was saying, ‘ice sheets have advanced significantly in the last six months, making most of Scandinavia and Canada virtually uninhabitable. North American States and northern European countries are now experiencing extreme weather conditions ranging from tumultuous rainfall one week to sustained hail and snow the next. Temperature drops and zero sunlight across the world are wreaking havoc with our ecosystems and the extinction of plant and animal life on land has begun. Tipping points will be reached in the next six months, ensuring the inevitable irreversible decline. Earth’s aquatic life is also experiencing mass upheaval; however, full extinction of life in our oceans will only be reached in 2045 when the last two asteroids strike.’
    The speakers came and went, each outlining various unfolding scenarios that for many years everyone in the room had been well prepared for, resigned in their expectations of the inevitable. These events consisted of chaotic and sudden breakdowns in law and order in a quarter of the world’s nations, with civil unrest in the remaining seventy-five per cent. It was all the GMRC and leading governments of the world could do to keep up the appearance that things would get better, when in fact they were fighting a losing battle that would ultimately result in the death of ninety-nine point nine per cent of the world’s population. The remaining lucky few would be evacuated to the forty-five massive underground bases constructed around the globe in order to continue humanity’s way of life and very existence on Earth.
    A scheduled break brought with it light relief for the assembled masses. Joiner stood up and surreptitiously stretched out his back and arms, which had begun to ache after the long hours of inactivity. His aide informed him that the rest of the day’s presentations regarded administration and government integration concerns, something he had decided weeks before he did not need to attend. Taking his leave, he retired to his allocated suite in the accommodation wing of the building.
    Later that evening, Joiner reclined on a soft leather chair with matching footstool as he read through the week’s upcoming summit schedule. The final two days would prove to be the most interesting as they were open only to the highest clearance holders, which naturally included him. In particular a slot led by Dagmar Sørensen regarding something called Project Ares caught his eye. As intelligence director, Joiner had prior knowledge of the array of black projects conducted by the GMRC’s R&D Division; however, this one did not ring any bells. He was impressed; not much got past Joiner these days, but when something did he was quick to sit up and take note. He would make sure to get a team of his top intelligence agents on it and work up a profile by the end of the week. He didn’t like surprises. In fact, he employed others to make sure they didn’t arise. His mood darkened and he pressed the intercom button to summon his aide.
    Moments later the man Joiner referred to as Debden appeared. ‘Yes, sir?’
    Joiner continued reading the schedule. ‘What is your job title?’
    Debden squared his shoulders. ‘Primary Aide to the GMRC Intelligence Director.’
    ‘And as primary aide