The Beginning

While the entire United States was in chaos, aboard a research vessel in the Arctic...

Several scientists from various research labs sat in a cabin full of electronic equipment. A small satellite television was their favorite way to pass the time.

The recent big news in the United States had been thrilling for these intellectuals. Aside from their routine observations, they had even put their research projects on hold, eager to watch the spectacle unfold!

Just as one young researcher was betting with his colleague about when the Vice President would step down, a piercing alarm rang through the cabin.

A white-bearded old scientist, apparently the leader, stood up and hurried to a piece of equipment. After fiddling with it for a moment, he said in disbelief, "What's going on? God, has someone built a nuclear power plant beneath the Arctic Ocean?"

The young man who'd just made the bet leaned over to take a look and cried in shock, "What's going on? Is there a fire beneath the Arctic Ocean?"

Another middle-aged man came over and examined it closely. "Could it be a volcano? Otherwise, there's no way to explain what's happening beneath the Arctic Ocean..."

The white-bearded old man glanced at him and shook his head gravely. "Look at where the heat is coming from. It's 150 meters beneath the Arctic ice cap.

"It's still thousands of meters above the seabed. Someone has awakened a sun down there..."

As he spoke, the old man made the sign of the cross over his chest and murmured, "God..."

The young man said uncertainly, "Maybe this is some kind of unusual event. Maybe this undersea sun will go out soon. Maybe..."

The old man glanced at the young man and shook his head with a wry smile. "I hope it's just