10 Days Left

June 7th, 2020, 2:05 a.m.

Kek Observatory, Mauna Kea, Hawaii

Ben Masters was up late working to identify new star systems. It's 5 minutes passed 2 a.m. as he sits in his "office", notating his observations. Masters had always felt a certain calling in the nighttime sky and he had established a career that allowed him to listen to that calling. Tonight wasn't the first time he had pulled a graveyard shift and he knew it wouldn't be the last. Although, he could have never predicted how important this night would be. Staring into one of the most powerful telescopes on the planet, Ben slowly scanned through the cosmos.

After several moments passed, he pulled away from the telescope to have a look around. The astrologer loved working late because it granted him a peaceful work environment and tonight was no different.

"Lets go", he said to himself, reaching for something in his sock. Manifesting a joint and briefly rolling it between two fingers while searching for his lighter. Ben had been waiting for this all day, private office hour had finally begun. He sparked the joint and took a few hits, then went straight back to work.

Panning the scope towards the Taurus constellation, Masters noticed something odd. "What the fuhem!" he coughs out, choking on smoke. After wiping his mouth and snuffing the joint on the table, Masters takes another look into the telescope. Several seconds later he bolts up from his chair and out of the room.

"This can not be good."

4:45 a.m.

Georgetown, Washington D.C.

Jack was pushing himself to sprint through the final hundred meters of his morning run. At 36, it was a necessary aspect of his career, so he never missed a day. Coming up on the corner of his street, he pushed himself even harder until the front of his lawn was in sight. Slowing down to a gliding jog the rest of the way to his porch.

A small percentage of people have gotten the opportunity to carry the title of secret service agent. An even smaller number have had the kind of career as Jack Holiday. Although, nobody had ever made Director so quickly... ever. Jack flew up his porch steps and through his front door, peeling off his sweaty t-shirt in the process. The sun had yet to rise, making it difficult to see too much of his surroundings. Which is why he failed to notice his daughter Gabriella sitting on the stairway a few feet in front of him.

"Daddy?" She called out to him.

"Christ angel, you scared the hell out of me, what are you doing awake at this time?"

"The phone woke me up, Uncle Alex said he's on his way here."

"Thank you sweet heart,but don't worry, just go back to bed. You can lay down in my room with V if you want."

"Okay Daddy," Gabriella answered while reaching out for a hug. "Please be careful."

"Always Sweetheart."

15 minutes later, two black sedans pulled up in front of Jacks house. Alex Gonzalez, second only to the Director himself, stepped out of the one in front. "Wait out here," he commanded, walking inside. "Please tell me your ready Sir," he shouted while entering the house.

"You called my house before 5 a.m., of coarse I'm ready. Now are you going to keep asking dumb questions or are you going to tell me whats going on?" Jack was already completely dressed as he emerged from the hallway on Alex's right-hand side.

Apparently the President has a high priority meeting in two hours, they ordered all hands on deck, we need to go now Sir."

"So then lets go," he replied smirking, "we wouldn't want to be late."

5:30 a.m.

Catskill Mountains, New York State

Every morning, Riley Richards found at least ten minutes to admire the sky before the sun came up. The routine would wake his sister Roslyn about half of the time but she climbed up to join him every time it did.

"Like clock-work," Riley said, smiling to himself as he heard hear approach.

"Have you seen any shooting stars yet?"

"You bet, a whole bunch of them too."

"Yay! I hope we see a few more," she responded excitedly.

During these moments, Roslyn made a habit of asking all kinds of questions. Which her brother would answer to the best of his capability. He always enjoyed how excited she got while talking about the stars.

"How far away are they from us?" she asked, keeping the tradition alive.

"Lifetimes Rosy, lifetimes."

"Oh... so far away then huh.., do you think they're up there also?"

Riley wanted to tell his sister the truth, that he really didn't know. Yet, looking into her pleading eyes, he couldn't bring himself to do so. "Yeah Rosy, they're up there."

"Riley?!... Roslyn?!... it's time to wake up, you guys are going to be late!" Rachel Richards, the oldest of the three and legal guardian of the younger two, called for her siblings. She wasn't aware of their morning routine, so they hurried back inside before she found out.

"I'm awake..!" Riley shouted to his older sister through a closed door.

"Good, now wake up your sister, I have to make you guys breakfast before your bus gets here."

"I'm on it," he replied while helping Roslyn climb in through the window. He brought a single finger to his mouth, motioning for her to stay quiet. " I think I hear her waking up already." Riley then turned around to lead his sister out of the room but she turned back towards the window so she could see the stars one last time. She wasn't sure why but something gave her an unsettling feeling after that.