Free The House of Grey- Volume 3 by Collin Earl Page B

and only cold fusion plant on the planet. Disney Universe - the proposed one-hundred-billion-dollar amusement park that would house the biggest shopping area in the world, twenty-seven new full-size attractions, nearly one thousand restaurants, several hundred hotels, and seven PGA-designed golf courses - was going to be built on one of the islands. Housing, from the humble to the extravagant, was planned to accommodate a wide span of socioeconomic groups, thus creating new and exciting opportunities for the ambitious.  Fueled by the cold fusion plant, the construction of the Trans-Pacific Bullet Train was to connect Asia and America like never before, allowing Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Filipino and other Asian populations access to the growing artificial inland community. This vision of tomorrow, this hope for the future, this radical departure from accepted norms, was from its conceptualization to ratification, the brainchild of a single individual: Christopher Barotoy.”
    Derek’s voice drifted out of the speakers, permeating Monson’s mind. Each word found its mark in his head. It was as if each of them formed a key to a dormant and forgotten door. With these doors unlocked, a flood of images and emotions were gripping his very core, his very self. 
    “The bridge highway, that would connect the Artificial Island Project to the mainland was a gift from the state governments of Washington, Oregon and California as a gesture of appreciation towards Baroty and his conglomerate. The bridge, consisting of three parts adjoining Highway 101 as it ran along the coastlines of California, Oregon, and Washington, was a ten-year multi-billion-dollar project. Its design would allow interstate commuters the benefits of expedited travel and the opportunity to use the most advanced electromagnetic train in the world. A day of celebration, a celebration to enjoy in the ingenuity of man--the day started as a celebration to start only to be extinguished in tragedy.”
    Derek shifted in his seat, cocking his head to the left as if he were referring to the graphic on the right side of the screen. The image grew quickly, taking over the entire screen. It depicted the aerial view of a massive eight-lane juncture glistening in the glare of water-reflected light.  The word “Before” sat superimposed at the bottom left of the image, which faded out, as a second image captioned “After” seemed to force its way on-screen. This shot was the same as the previous one, with one striking difference: The eight-lane roundabout was gone. The only remnants were charred and jagged chunks of jutting concrete and steel.  Derek’s narration continued.
    “The U.S. and Canadian government response was swift, as detachments from the U.S. Navy, Army and Air Force, in addition to the Canadian Coast Guard, responded to the distress call of Colonel Marshon Vanderbilt, who was already on the scene. Here is footage from his initial contact with the media.”
    The player changed once again, this time showing a haggard man in Army fatigues attempting to move past reporters, whom he obviously found distasteful.
    “Colonel. What can you tell us? What caused this? Is the country under attack?”
    “I’m sorry, I have no comment.” The Colonel attempted to part the gathering mob.
    “Is it true that the North Koreans are involved? What about the Chinese? How will this affect the Artificial Island Project? Are other countries trying to steal the cold fusion technology?”
    The Colonel stopped mid-stride, his back to the reporters. He visibly tensed. Abruptly, he spun on his heel, surprising the reporters as he did so.
    Monson reached down to pause the player.
    “Why would he answer them?”
    The others seemed puzzled by his question. Brian recovered first.
    “China.”
    “What about China?”
    “That is probably why he chose to answer. He did not want the media to instigate a call for war with China.”
    “But why would people - ”Brian put up a hand.