The stranger was very particular about who he invited.
One by one, over several months he had selected four people that were quite unknown to him. Despite this, they were selected because each had shown that they had the mental capacity to listen to, and understand, what he had to say. The small, select group came together from far and wide to gather at the appointed location. The stranger, from outward appearances presenting as just another ordinary looking citizen, appeared within moments of all four assembling. Without any kind of introduction or explanation, he led the way through darkening streets to a small café.
For all intents and purposes, the place was closed for the evening, but he produced a key and they entered. Two men and two women; all in their forties, all professionals. Apparently, a random group on the surface, but in fact, each having special attributes; special qualities that placed them there. They all took seats around a table and waited.
The stranger began.
“I should start by saying that a full extra-terrestrial contact, such as this, is rarely sanctioned. I believe each of you is capable of grasping what you are about to hear.”
He sat thinking for a moment.
“Your world, as you know it, is about to end. All matter and energy here will cease. This region of the cosmos is about to become devoid and empty. I’m here to tell you that the great pillars of galactic creation are about to crumble. Suns will fade away to nothing, leaving not even a dust mote. Space research crafts, space telescopes and satellites, all becoming worth less than a weather balloon, will simply disappear. All interstellar projects becoming meaningless.”
He looked around at shocked faces. He went on, “Atoms, protons, neutrons, and electrons, will let loose their bonds and fade to nothing. All natural forces, gravitational, nuclear, etc., will end abruptly. No dark matter left behind. No debris, no intergalactic traces, no floating particles of any kind. Interplanetary frontiers, null and void. All time related conditions will no longer exist. No more rotations, no more orbits. There will be only darkness where there was light. No big bang, just a silent departure. All life forms, all living entities, swirled into the abyss. The very spiral of this galaxy, drawn inexorably into a black hole that is prepared and waiting.”
He showed the group his palms. “Of course, there is a way of avoiding all this. That’s where I come in. That’s why I have gathered you here. Each of you have a number of things in common, not least of which are the facts that you have been scanned at having intelligence quotients in excess of three hundred, and despite this, have a natural inclination towards modesty and level-headedness. These are essential qualities for the work in front of you. You will be the emissaries, the leaders in what is to come.”
“I have told you what is to come and there’s only one way to stop it…”
He leant forward, and with his elbows on the table, he slowly steepled his fingers. Looking from one attendee to another, he lifted his chin and cleared his throat…