There are some things in this world that you would expect to occur when the sun rises. For one the blackened sky would slowly fade away into grey. You would see the sun peek over the horizon and flashes of colors from orange to red to yellow and finally blue. You would hear the birds sing and see people begrudging start their day. These things did not happen when morning came.

Io was awoken to the sound of radio static. She rolled off the couch. The room was near black, only with a few candles and flashlights lighting the area. Jane was sitting at the table in a no nonsense skirt and a white blouse. Samantha sat eagerly next to her in a ragged old grey shirt and loose fitted pants, staring at the radio with an intense gaze. Io picked up a candle and moved over to them.

“Power outage?” Io asked. Samantha looked up at her and shook her head. And still in silence she pointed towards the window. Io turned around and saw nothing out the window. Nothing but darkness. She walked over and opened the window. The sky was still black as if it was still night time.

“I’m guessing it isn’t supposed to be dark.” Io said as she stepped back from the window.

“It’s nine in the morning.” Jane said as she adjusted the radio. More static filled the room. From the hallway there was a thumping sound. The door in the hallway swung open and inching out of the room was Evelyn wrapped up in a sleeping bad. Jane hustled over to assist Evelyn, leaving Samantha alone with the radio.

She immediately took it in her hands and examined it as if she was about to take the thing apart. Io walked over and carefully moved the dial on the radio. Static flared up for a moment and then died with the sound of a voice coming in over the radio.

“As more reports come in, it has become more and more clear that the current outage is nothing that this city has seen the likes of before. Not only are most household appliances lacking in power but also street lights and local federal government institutions. The only means of contact appears to be the use of radio between our reporters. Riots have already broken out throughout the city and law enforcement has been working to detain any vandals or rioters. No one is for certain why the sky appears to be as black as the night. Many local religious leaders are saying it's the end of times. An end to the light and the beginning of the eternal darkness that is to sweep our world for the next century. Many members of congress are starting to be drawn to the phenomenon as the darkness has only appeared to engulf the city of Albany. The National Guard has been called in today and while many are heading to the local hospitals and securing generators, we are also getting reports of National Guard convoy trucks rolling in off of Interstate 90 and being dispersed throughout the city. Local law enforcement has had to double down recently due to the mass shooting that took place at a nearby police station. Though no suspects have been named, security footage at the scene is discovered to have been tampered with and unusable. Police are urging all citizens to remain indoors until this crisis has passed.”

“Shit…” Io said as she leaned against the table. Samantha looked up at Io.

“I guess we are to remain here…?” Samantha asked as she twisted the ends of her hair nervously. There was much doubt in her voice. A very small part of her knew what was the cause of the blackout but she was not sure.

“Does this happen often?” She asked. Io looked at her and shook her head.

“No. Not this bad.”

“Good lord. I feel as though something terrible was about to happen.”

“Yeah. Same, Blondie. Same.” Io said as she slowly let herself sit down.

“Hell of a thing to wake up to, eh?” Io said as she looked over at Samantha with a half smile. It was attempted to lighten the mood but none could shake the worry and fear off their shoulders.

“Rather wish I didn’t. Wish that I was back home with my father and my brother.” Samantha said as she placed the radio back on the table.

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“Tell me about your brother. Don’t think you have mentioned a whole lot about him, except that he is missing or something.” Io asked. Samantha looked back up at her. A faint smile came across her face.

“He is an ass really. Much taller than me with dark hair. He would get in trouble more times than I can recall. He had a forked tongue and a thief's hands. Father said he got that from our mother. There would be nights where father would have to walk down to the station and bring him home. But when the war broke out, he was conscripted.”

“Died in battle?” Io asked. Samantha shook her head.

“I don’t know. He stopped sending me letters a while ago. After some time of not hearing anything I decided to give up. I don’t know if he died or if he ran away. Even here and now I still pray that I can see him one day. But I don’t think that will happen. A hundred and fifty years is a very long time.” Samantha said as she looked down. “My home is gone and I now sail adrift in a sea of the unknown.”

“Hey don’t worry about it, Blondie. You got us.” Io said in another attempt to cheer Samantha up.

“Your optimism is reassuring. I thank you.” Samantha said as she removed her glasses and wiped her eyes.

Jane returned with Evelyn who stumbled out of the hallway, almost tripping over her own feet.

“Whoa…” Evelyn said as she looked out the window. “Who turned off the sun?”

“Bronson.” Jane said as she folded her arms. “His experiment with Samantha’s machine has advanced. He thinks he can control more energy than one would normally be able to handle.”

Evelyn looked at Jane suspiciously.

“And you know this how?” Evelyn asked. Jane rolled her eyes and walked over to her computer and removed the flashdrive.

“I did as we agreed and retrieved vital information on Bronson’s project. He refers to it as Project Alpha. His goal is to harness enough energy to transmute lead into gold. An old alchemist's dream. In theory one can change the amount of protons and neutrons in an atom and with enough energy one could shift any element in the periodic table. But to do so would require a substantial amount of energy. And it’s your machine that he believes can do it. If you ask me I’d say he’s mad. Too much energy in a small space is a disaster waiting to happen.” Jane said as she placed the flash drive on the table.

“Fuck...We need a plan. We can go in there unplug his thing and pow!” Evelyn said as she wandered over and sat on the couch. “Or we can just sit here and shit ourselves. I’m good with either.” Evelyn said as she leaned back on the couch as if to take a nap.

“Miss Aue, you can’t be serious.” Samantha called out. “I gave specific details and information about my ship to those men. I am as responsible for this as everyone else involved. We can’t just sit here and do nothing and if you suggest that we do not get involved now...” Samantha’s words trembled off her lips. She was scared. “Then I will go down there myself and fix this mess.” Her legs wobble after her declaration. She knew it was the right thing to do but the thought of going back down to the place scared her stiff.

“Hey easy there, tiger. Was only kidding. Course we’re gonna do something and heck maybe even save the day and get medals and a parade. Woo!” Evelyn said in a sarcastic tone and she motioned her index fingers in circles in the air.

Samantha gave out a small laugh. “Ah ha. Your sarcasm again. But I’m serious and if wish to rally with me, good. But a direct approach would not be viable.” Samantha said.

“If we are to get in the building we would need to cease all current activities regarding the machine.” Jane said as she sat down at the table. Jane started off initially thinking that the whole thing was a suicide mission. She at first entertained the idea of going back but the more she thought about it, she knew the consequences would be disastrous.

“Ah heck yeah, let's do this! Wait” Io said as she looked at Jane. “Power is out here. Shouldn’t their power be out too?” Io personally felt pumped to go back and finish the fight.

“Keen observation, Io. But no, the building is self sustaining. It’s for events like these.”

“So we sneak in and knock out the grid. Easy.” Io suggested as she gave Jane a wink and a thumbs up.

“Fellas! You forgot one thing. GI Joe running around out there and probably won't let us near the place. If the National Guard is already here I’m guessing they already know where to look. So they would have it all blocked off.” Evelyn called out from the couch. Jane let out a sigh.

“Unfortunately, you have a point, Evelyn. If we can’t find a way around the National Guard and into the building then there is no way we can shut off the power supply.” Jane commented as she held her chin.

“What if we sneaked around the guards?” Samantha asked.

“Good one, Blondie. Make this a Mission Impossible scenario. Sneak around the army, sneak into the facility and quietly shut off the power and disappear.” Evelyn said as she lifted her hands and wiggled her fingers.

“That idea might be the best one to start with. I do not see any other way of us getting into the building.” Jane said.

“Yeah and the last time we took the direct approach we were met with guns.” Io said as she folded her arms. She winched a little bit as her shoulder stung. “Stupid guns.”

“All right,” Jane said. “So we have agreed that going around the military would be best. Any suggestions on how to accomplish that?”

Evelyn cracked a smile. “I have an idea. But Parker, we are going to need to use your car and make a quick stop to get a bag of candy.”