Every channel was black.
"Hm," Steven mused. "Whatever knocked out the power must have taken the cable too."
"I'll go get the radio from the kitchen," Denise said.
"Wait ..." Suddenly the screen flickered. There was some static, then an image appeared. There was a man, seated behind a desk and in front of what looked like a massive computer. Denise turned to see what was going on, and decided to go sit on the couch with her family. The man looked directly into the camera and spoke.
"Good morning. I am sure you are all confused and a bit frightened by yesterday's events." The man spoke calmly, with a comforting tone. "My name is Dr. Alan Gilmore. I am the founder of Applied MetaDynamics, and the creator of the technology at the core of the facility that went online last night. I apologize for any discomfort the initial graviton wave may have caused, though I am sure you are feeling quite refreshed at this point.
"I won't drone on about the details of the technology I have created, needless to say that I have developed a way to transport matter through an active wormhole to a planet light years away. This planet, as I'm sure you've noticed, is very Earth-like. But I assure you, you are no longer on Earth."
The members of the Watson family looked at each other, with expressions of both confusion and worry. David wanted to mention that people should have listened when there was concern over the accelerator creating a black hole, but instead he just continued watching the TV.
"I suppose I should explain why you are here, or at least as much as I know. About a year ago, I was able to send a roomful of matter through a wormhole that intersected with our planet. I only needed to provide an entrance to the active wormhole, and then cut in, so to speak. The matter was then transported to a distant world. Believe me, I and my science team were thrilled at the success of the experiment. But our excitement was short-lived.
"You see, the beings on the other world were none too pleased at us using their wormhole. As punishment, we were to construct a device capable of forming another entrance to the wormhole ... only this time, it would encompass an entire town. Your town. For some unknown reason, they wanted several thousand humans to be transported to their planet. Believe me when I say that we had no choice in the matter. Their technology is impressive, as are their weapons. This was the only way to avert their anger.
"I really am sorry about this, but it was the only way. Your sacrifice is much appreciated. Have a good day."
Have a good day? After hearing that? David thought.
The screen went black again, then suddenly the picture came back. It was an image of the man again. "Good morning. I am sure you are all confused and a bit frightened by yesterday's events." It was a recording. David had a feeling that Dr. Gilmore wasn't anywhere near Hillsburg.
Steven turned off the TV, then joined in with the rest of his family, as they looked at each other, feeling frightened, confused, and worried. What was going to happen next?
