“Ladies and gentlemen, the President of the United States.”

The White House Press Secretary announces the leader of the Free World to the stage inside of a room full of rabid reporters.

President Allen O. Lamarch promptly walks in after he’s introduced and stands at the awaiting podium. Upon his emergence, the large room, which just a second ago was emitting a noise level that can compete with a college football stadium, has now been rendered completely quiet. It is as if every single reporter and photographer have suddenly been robbed of their ability to speak. Before he speaks, the president lets the room know that he acknowledges them by sweeping his eyes over the crowd filled with media representatives from various outlets. The entire transaction is eerily reminiscent of something one may see from some advanced, other-worldly being mentally subduing a less-advanced race in some science-fiction movie.

“Approximately around 3:30 A.M., early on Friday morning, the asteroid known as Apophis neared Earth’s atmosphere,” he says, then pausing as the room buzzed while the press secretary attempted to calm the reporters. “Despite a joint-mission collaboration between the United States and Russia to safely redirect Apophis away from Earth, the overwhelming gravitational pull of our planet and moon caused Apophis to continue its path towards us.” More reporters start to clamor over each other, so the president clears his throat. “As a last-minute resort, we decided to launch one of our advanced, nuclear, anti-satellites towards the asteroid to prevent it from colliding directly with our planet. It brings me great joy to announce that the attack on Apophis was a success and––”

Before he can finish his statement to the country, the audience inside of the press briefing room where he is currently delivering his speech, erupts in applause.

“––the asteroid has been completely destroyed,” he concludes over the loud clapping, the last words of his sentence causing the thunderous applause to triple in intensity.

“I know many of you have questions, so I will now––” he continues, attempting another statement that is cut off thanks to the amount of hands that go up and shouts of Mr. President that follow. The president points at one of the many reporters in the room with their hand up. “Yes?”