The End of the Beginning

San Francisco Bay, California

Thursday, March 25, 2027

Gleaming in the pink morning light, the waters off the bay were lined in gold. Fog was covering the Golden Gate as usual, only the tops of it red towers visible. Director-General Ferrer sat meditating in one of UNIRO Command’s many rock gardens, atop the former Naval Air Station Alameda. One would always find the director in one of these havens at this time of morning, as he liked to contemplate his coming day and plans for it.

No one was to ever disturb him.

All he wanted to hear was the trickling of water through sculpted waterfalls that emptied into koi ponds, wind through the bamboo reeds, rocks clinking against each other when he sat down, and the fire that burned for his mission within his heart.

“Excuse me… Director,” said a small voice from a circular opening in the wall.

“What?” the director scowled, his eyes still shut.

“Sir, we just received a message from Roger Wood. He is in Alberta, Canada. He says they’ve found Captain William Emerson. They’re about to take off for Tranquility. He accepted. Forgive me but you said to - ” Ferrer opened his eyes, “Emerson.” “Yes, sir.”

Ferrer’s scowl turned to a deep smile.

“Finally.”