Preparation

Preparation

"It is with great pleasure that we officially announce that we are moving the hands back to 11:53!" The assembled group of scientists beamed out of the television screen at Alfred.

"Doomsday Clock!" he spat. "What do those idiots know?"

Alfred had lived through the threats and counter threats of the Russians. Now, he was bombarded daily with stories of Al-Qaeda or some other terrorist group building a device that would destroy the world.

"It's inevitable," he murmured to himself. "The end is near!"

Alfred rubbed the bump where the latest injection had been given. His defense was well on its way.

Years of research had gone into preparing for this day. He had spent years studying all the alternatives to ensure his survival. So many dead ends, crossed his mind before he pushed the thought aside. It was almost by accident that he had stumbled upon the solution. It was literally staring him right in the eyes one night.

With a flash of insight - a true "ah-ha" moment - he recognized the the answer and devoted himself to that single purpose. He had spent years raising money and funding research – much of it illegal – but he didn't care. Survival was his obsession.

Walking across the room, he awoke his sleeping computer and peered at the magnetic resonance images that he'd had done. "Perfect," he said. He could see the fine lines of chitin forming a shell under his skin. Soon, his armor would be in place and he'd be impervious to everything.

Such is the price of being prepared he thought. I guess there are worse things than becoming a cockroach.


Notes:
An entry for the 8/26/10 round of "Daily Flash Fiction Challenge"  [13+]
Prompt: Write a story that includes the words: bump, magnet, shell

Word Limit: 289
Word Count: 300

Thank you for taking the time to read my story. Please, as long as you're here, leave a comment. Criticisms, thoughts, reactions, yes – even words of encouragement or praise – are all equally welcome

Ken