The Rick! The Jessica!! Then The Risca!!!

Chapter 28: Humanity's Last Stand

As the shattered remnants of the Messiah ship smoldered in the background, humanity grappled with the stark reality of its impending doom. In NASA's command centers and makeshift meeting rooms around the globe, scientists and engineers feverishly brainstormed new solutions, driven by the urgency to save their planet from the relentless march of Asteroid Risca.

Jessica, her resolve steeled amidst the chaos, wiped away tears of despair. The vision of Rick, still lost to her, fueled her determination to continue searching. She pleaded fervently with the military officers at the checkpoint, imploring them to allow her to venture forth in pursuit of her beloved. Her conviction was unwavering—she knew that their love and unity were not just personal aspirations, but essential elements in the fight for humanity's survival.

Outside the confines of the checkpoint, the world spun into turmoil. The demise of the Messiah ship had shattered the fragile hope that had briefly united nations and peoples. Economies faltered, governments teetered on the brink of collapse, and civil unrest flared into open rebellion. Panic gripped the populace as the countdown to impact continued unabated, with just less than 30 days remaining.

Amidst the chaos, Henry emerged as a beacon of leadership. He convened an emergency session of the United Nations assembly, gathering the world's foremost scientists, military strategists, and leaders of faith. His face, etched with the weight of responsibility, bore the gravity of the moment as he addressed the assembly.

"I have a plan," Henry declared, his voice echoing through the hushed chamber. "It may be our last hope, our final stand against the inevitable. The asteroid will pass near the moon on September 10th. During this window, we propose a daring mission to nuke a specific part of the moon, aiming to use its gravitational pull to alter the asteroid's trajectory. The goal is to slow it down and fragment it, reducing its impact on Earth by an estimated 30%."

The room fell into stunned silence as Henry outlined the audacious plan. The enormity of the task ahead hung heavy in the air, each member of the assembly grappling with the desperate gamble that now lay before them. There was no time for cautious deliberation or trial runs—this was humanity's final option, a last-ditch effort to rewrite the grim fate that had been set in motion.

A voice broke the silence, raising a critical concern. "Nuking the moon will have profound effects. The particles and asteroid remnants will be huge and unpredictable. They could damage our running satellites and even our space station on the moon. We can't predict the movement of the particles suddenly. This plan has significant risks."

Henry nodded gravely. "I understand the concerns, but we have no other choice left. We must weigh the potential damage against the certainty of our planet's destruction. We have to proceed, knowing that this gamble is our only hope."

Outside, across cities and continents, ordinary people and leaders alike awaited news with bated breath. The fate of humanity now rested on a precarious balance of scientific theory, technological prowess, and sheer willpower. In the face of unprecedented crisis, the world watched and waited, united in a fragile alliance of hope against the encroaching darkness.In that pivotal moment, amidst the ruins of shattered dreams and the specter of imminent catastrophe, Henry and the assembled leaders stood as guardians of humanity's resilience. 

Theirs was a resolve forged in the crucible of crisis, driven by the unwavering belief that even in humanity's darkest hour, the light of innovation, courage, and unity could still illuminate a path forward—a path where survival was not just a possibility, but a testament to the enduring spirit of mankind.