"That idiot Croft made it too big this time" Darius grumbled.

Liam said nothing. He just leaned against the wall and looked at the floor. Darius couldn't blame him.

Liam had admired Croft for a good part of his life and only recently had he realized how traitorous and greedy for fame he could be. Despite his betrayal a year ago, he had long hoped that he would stop before it was too late. Instead, he now he realized how wrong he was.

Darius sighed. "If it consoles you, your teacher was right. If it hadn't been him it would have been someone else. If there is one thing that we humans are good at doing is self-destruct"

"We should have done something first" Grace murmured. "The fault lies with all of us. We all had the responsibility to stop this disaster"

"Now you're talking nonsense, Grace. We had no chance of stopping all this"

"No, it isn't true. We could have done it. Even a small gesture could have had enormous consequences"

"Stop it, everyone" Pauline exclaimed. "It makes no sense to dwell on the 'if' and 'but'. The question now is: what do we do?"

"What do we do? We can not do anything!" Liam burst out furiously. "We have created a weapon capable of reducing this planet to a desert and do you expect it won't be used? We're done. The world will be destroyed. The only thing we can hope for is that one of those bombs will explode directly above our heads, so we will have to suffer for just a millisecond"

"Liam, please calm down" Jillian stopped him, grabbing him by the arm. "I'm sure there is a solution..."

"No, he's right" Darius sighed. "It is useless to deceive ourselves. Now the clock run out for civilization"

Grace and Harris looked at Darius in surprise and disappointment. Darius Tanz was always upbeat, jovial, playboy and funny; he could find the bright side in any situation, no matter how critical he was. If even he was disillusioned, then there really was no hope.

"What do you suggest we do, Minister Tanz?" Pauline asked.

"This" Darius gestured and a hologram appeared in front of him. It was the project of what seemed to be a cross between a space rocket and a futuristic spaceship.

The others came closer to get a better look at it. "The Ark?" Jillian exclaimed. "But it didn't have to be built before..."

"I renamed it Salvation, for the record. And yes, we weren't supposed to build it for ten years, but I guess we don't have that much time" Darius interrupted. "I started building it the instant you warned me about the nuclear bombs. It is the largest spaceship ever built and can carry up to three hundred people, therefore more than the bare minimum necessary for our survival"

"The bare minimum necessary for our survival?" Liam asked.

"It refers to the minimum number of individuals needed to ensure the survival of a species. Below that threshold, low genetic turnover would make extinction inevitable, regardless of how strong, intelligent or adaptable that species is" Jillian explained. "For humans that number equals one hundred and sixty, if I'm not mistaken"

"Exactly. Salvation can carry nearly double the number" Darius explained. "It is specifically designed to produce energy and food independently for the next thousand years. According to my calculations, Eden will only take a few centuries before it becomes habitable and cleans itself of most of the radiation, so it will be enough"

"Basically, are you suggesting we build this spaceship, put three hundred people in it and send them into orbit?" Grace asked.

"No, I'm suggesting we build Salvation, put three hundred people inside and send them straight to our neighbor planet Davis. There they will be able to found a small colony and live for several generations waiting to be able to return here to Eden" Darius replied.

"So you want to escape" Harris grumbled.

"No, I want to give humanity a chance to survive. Salvation is the last chance. It can save well over three hundred people: in its databases we can keep genetic maps of every living species and foundations of every culture, to ensure the rebirth of life on a battered planet" corrected Darius. "We will put on that ship all the people necessary to restart civilization, who will teach their children their task, and in turn they will teach it to their grandchildren. Future generations will make up for our mistakes"

Pauline approached, touching the hologram. Her fingers crossed the disembodied image, reflecting on the prime minister's words. She finally she sighed. "All right. You will have all the necessary funds. Build it in the shortest time possible"

"My queen!?" Grace exclaimed. "Do you agree with him?"

"No, but I also don't want to discard the few options we have" Pauline said. "Salvation could be the key to the survival of humanity. We have the project and the means to carry it out, it makes no sense to wait, especially now that we are one step away from the abyss. Darius, I want you to complete projects and prepare a work plan within three days. And know that you will have to be absent, so any task you have in this regard will have to be entrusted to another"

"Uh? Why should I'll be absent?" Darius asked.

"You will have to come with me to Beleriard. You too, Harris and Grace. We leave in three days"

The people in her room simultaneously turned to her with wide eyes. "To Beleriard?" Grace exclaimed. "Do you want..."

"I don't want. I MUST meet lord Sobek" Pauline said. "It's our last chance. The last chance of all humanity"

"But... what will you tell him?" murmured Darius.

"I'll tell him the truth and ask him to come to terms. For the moment, lord Sobek is still in a position of advantage over us. If he decides to come to terms now we still have a chance to avoid nuclear war"

"What if he gets violent instead? What if he gets scared and decides to attack? What if the dinosaurs also decide to build nuclear bombs?"

"Then absolutely nothing would change. The world would be fucked up anyway. Why else would I have agreed to give you the funds for that ship? As I have already said, Salvation is the key to humanity's survival"

Harris stepped forward. "My queen, I can understand your intentions, but I object to your direct involvement. Me, Darius and Grace can handle the situation. It is better for the country that you stay safe here. We don't know how the dinosaurs could react and..."

"Lord Sobek has always respected ambassadors and has never attacked without reason. I will not be in danger" Pauline stopped him. "Besides, I better be there. If we want to have a better chance of being heard, it is better to show ourselves humble and well-intentioned"

"But…"

"My decision is definitive"

Harris closed his mouth. When the queen got something into her head it was impossible to dissuade her.

"How are you going to get through the naval blockade?" Liam asked.

"I'll contact president Jersey" Pauline explained. "She will guarantee us a safe passage"

"Are you sure?"

"Little boy, the way I operate is my problem. You take care of your work"

Liam stepped aside. He didn't like the woman's comment, but he didn't dare complain to her ruler. Pauline headed for the door: "Three days, Darius. You arrange the works and then presented yourself at Frigjar airport. For whatever you need, call the state cashier and you will receive any amount you ask" and having said that she walked out, followed by Harris and Grace.

Darius sighed deeply. Liam didn't say anything. In the end it was Jillian who broke the ice: "Do you think you'll be able to convince him?"

"We have to try" Darius replied. "The queen is right, lord Sobek is the last hope now. If we fail to restore peace to this world, it will be the end for everyone of us"