Arrival: A Post-Apocalyptic Thriller

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Transcript of news broadcast, WLVG Channel 2 Las Vegas

Sally Whitehead: For breaking news, we’re going back to Ashley Acuff, who’s been covering this story for almost 36 straight hours—even before the mysterious dome dropped over the city of Nashville. We had made some jokes about what was happening, but this is no longer a laughing matter. In fact, on behalf of WLVG, I want to apologize if those jokes inadvertently offended anyone, now that we’re all seeing how serious this is. Ashley, what are you hearing?

Ashley Acuff: Yeah, Sally, that’s right. Things here are much different than they were when the astronomers were still analyzing the data feed from the gamma-ray observatories. It has become evident to not only the scientists, but to everyone, that there is something headed our way. The level of gamma-ray emissions first detected over 300 light years from Earth was just the beginning. It seems as though the emissions have been tracked from deep space to our solar system. And just a few hours ago, I was told that some of our top-level military satellites detected a physical object passing around the sun, and on a trajectory headed straight for Earth.

Sally Whitehead: I don’t understand, Ashley—what exactly does that mean?

Ashley Acuff: Well, we’re no longer talking about the stuff of science fiction movies, I’m afraid. It’s obvious that sentient beings created the gamma rays that originated from that distant galaxy. And what we know now is that they have sent something to Earth. We can’t say for sure yet what that something is, but we do know that it is a physical object, dare I say an alien spaceship.

Sally Whitehead: Have the astronomers confirmed this yet? Have they gotten any images from our satellites? It seems like we’d be able to detect an alien spaceship approaching Earth.

Ashley Acuff: Surprisingly, no. Most scientists agree that space is so vast that it’s impossible for us to detect everything flying through our solar system. In fact, there have been several asteroids that have flown right by the Earth and we didn’t know about them until they passed. Our computers are constantly gathering data from the skies above, but we simply don’t have enough scientists to interpret and analyze it all in real time.

Sally Whitehead: But we would have known about an alien civilization so close. 300 light years is not far when you’re talking about space. Where are they coming from?

Ashley Acuff: When I first spoke to Dr. Helson of the National Science Institute, he had said that Einstein was one of the first to acknowledge the possibility of wormholes—a theoretical tunnel that goes through time and space which would allow travel to and from distant points across the universe. Our technology isn’t advanced enough to even test this theory, but its quite possible that an advanced life form could.

Sally Whitehead: Are any officials from the National Science Institute talking to you now?

Ashley Acuff: Nothing. I’ve heard that they know the general shape and dimension of the object, but they’re not releasing any specific details at this time.

Sally Whitehead: It sounds like they’re withholding information from the public, Ashley.

Ashley Acuff: That’s what our entire newsroom thinks, as well. None of the scientists I spoke to earlier are returning my calls. Developments are being channeled through a dedicated media spokesperson who can’t—or won’t—answer our questions.

Sally Whitehead: Things have changed dramatically since yesterday. I think most scientists realize that what’s happening in our solar system is directly connected to the dome over Nashville. Have any of the government spokespeople shared any information on that?

Ashley Acuff: None. Nothing at all. Even the President has been silent on the matter. I’ve got to tell you, there’s a growing sense of anxiety and discontent on the streets. Either our scientists don’t know exactly what’s happening or our government won’t let them talk about it. And if the dome and the gamma-ray emissions are in fact connected, in any way, there’s no telling how people are going to react or what’s going to happen.

Sally Whitehead: What is your advice to our viewers? Reports tell us this object is currently behind the sun. Do the scientists know when it will arrive?

Ashley Acuff: The media spokesman has not given us any specifics. However, I have gotten an unverified communication from someone inside of NASA, a person I believe to be reliable. This person claims that whatever is in the sky, and behind the sun, will reach our planet in three or four days. This is based on the trajectory and speed measured across the solar system. But that’s all we know, and again, I must stress, this is from an unnamed source, if a reliable one.

Sally Whitehead: Thanks, Ashley. Well, as you’ve all heard, there are things about the Nashville dome that remain a mystery. For now, sit tight and stay tuned to WLVG as we continue our live coverage of what the media has dubbed, “Gamma Gate.”