Before Jon could start climbing the stairs, the news report was cut off, replaced by the beeping noises and white-on-black text of an emergency broadcast.
NATIONAL ALERT
A Primary Entry Point System has issued an Emergency Action Notification for the following counties: District of Columbia, DC. Effective until XX/XX/XX XX:XX:XX CDT.
Primary Entry Point System
Issued an
Emergency Action Notification
Then, the monotone voice of the Emergency Alert System began to play:
The following message is being transmitted at the request of the White House.
Approximately 15 minutes ago, the colour of the Sun suddenly changed from white to a silver grey. It has been determined that anyone exposed to the silver-coloured light currently produced by the Sun will be quickly transformed into living, animate machines, fusing with any machine they were in direct contact with at time of exposure. How this is possible and why it occurred is unknown at this time.
If you are unaffected, avoid sunlight and moonlight at all times. Remain inside. If it is feasible to do so, block up all windows, cracks or anything else that could allow sunlight or moonlight into your shelter. Do not exit or compromise your shelter, even to look for loved ones. If they have been exposed, it is too late for them.
If you have been affected by the phenomenon, do not panic, as panicking could make the situation worse. Do not attempt to enter or otherwise compromise the shelters of unaffected individuals. Retain caution towards any unfamiliar functions you or others may have obtained.
The President and Vice President are unaffected at this time and are being evacuated to a safe location. The President or a representative will address the nation later today. Stay tuned for further instructions.
And then, after some more beeping, the alert ended, and Jon dashed up the stairs with a renewed sense of urgency. He had to set this right, he had to change the Sun back with the stone, before anyone was hurt.
