came back to life when power was turned on.
B1287-AT returned to Psychon Computer Complex. It entered the room that housed the weapon system.
“All weapon systems on standby,” B1287-AT reported. The most powerful weapon that could be launched was the Big Laser Gun, having a fire-power equivalent to one thousand nuclear bombs exploding simultaneously.
The last room to be checked housed the Surveillance system. There were four computers dedicated to the monitoring of external environmental conditions, including those from outer space.
“All external conditions normal,” B1287-AT said happily.
This day proved rather uneventful, just like any other day. B1287-AT went on to clean all the computers in the complex using a vacuum cleaner. It danced and rocked to the beat of the space music. When the daily cleaning was done, it went to empty the rubbish bin situated near the main door of the complex. Just when it was about to grab hold of the rubbish bin, an alarm sounded.
“Mayday. Mayday. Asteroid detected. On collision course with M221.”
The alarm came from the audio speakers located all over the computer complex. One of the surveillance computers picked up the signal of the approaching asteroid and activated the alarm system.
Braini stopped the space music immediately. It quickly switched to ‘disaster recovery’ mode. It wanted B1287-AT to gather all the information about this asteroid on collision course with M221.
“Medium-size asteroid. Average diameter measuring three thousand kilometres. Approaching at an angle of sixty degrees. A direct collision with ocean waters could result in massive tidal waves three hundred metres high. A collision with hard ground could create a crater five hundred metres deep. If it hits the Barock Tectonic Fault, the Barock Continent will sink into the western ocean, including Psychon Computer Complex. Tidal waves more than five hundred metres will be formed. Diameter of the planet’s orbit will be enlarged by another four hundred kilometres. The weather conditions will undergo drastic change. Time to impact. One hour. Status. Red Alert!” B1287-AT reported.
“A killer asteroid,” Braini concluded.
A short while elapsed.
“Asteroid approaching. Time to impact. Thirty minutes.” B1287-AT reported.
“B1287-AT. Activate weapon system. Fire Big Laser Gun. Maximum power.” Braini ordered.
“Positive.”
“Weapon system activated. Locating target. Charging power. Fire!” B1287-AT shot the first laser beam at the killer asteroid. It was a direct hit. Huge cracks began to form on the surface of the asteroid. The laser beam lasted for a full twenty minutes after which massive cracks appeared on many parts of the asteroid. However, this big chunk of cosmic rock was still headed towards planet M221.
“Asteroid on collision course. Time to impact. Twenty minutes.” B1287-AT reported.
“Fire Big Laser Gun. Maximum power.” Braini ordered.
“Positive.”
“Locking target. Charging power. Fire!” B1287-AT aimed the laser gun at the approaching asteroid. It pushed a button on the control panel and a deadly beam shot into space. The asteroid was hit directly. However, this time round, it remained unaffected.
“Insufficient power. Asteroid on collision course. Time to impact. Ten minutes.” B1287-AT reported.
“B1287-AT. Attack asteroid in space. Use your reserve laser power.” Braini ordered.
“Positive.”
B1287-AT obeyed and flew out of the computer complex. It began to levitate and flew up towards the sky. It was on its way upwards when events began to unfold at incredible speed. Braini calculated that a direct collision with the killer asteroid was inevitable. There was simply not enough time for B1287-AT to intercept this asteroid and blew it out of existence. Furthermore, B1287-AT might not have enough laser power to carry out its order. Braini closed all doors to Psychon Computer Complex and raised the Dome. The Dome was a protective shield that could