by Rolf Witzsche ~
From civilization to Armageddon in thirty minutes. A fictional nuclear-war fantasy story from the novel, ^Brighter than the Sun,^ by Rolf A. F. Witzsche. There was a time when swords were held high and the fate of kingdoms was decided in the space of a day. In later times war was measured in years in which entire countries were obliterated. In modern times no soldiers wield swords or tanks roll across the frontiers when the decisive battles are fought. It unfolds in a brief ejaculation of death that is counted in minutes in which history ends and mankind as a whole will likely be doomed. In the story this happens at lunchtime, though fortunately only in a 'minuscule' way. If the story were not fiction, as the doctrine of nuclear preemption virtually assures for our future, the consequences would be far harsher if indeed such a comparison is relevant. Mankind is facing the return of the Ice Age in a hundred years time for which enormous preparations are required that thereby would become preempted. In the story that isn't a factor. The focus is on surviving to the day. We still have the luxury of preparing for mankind's long-term survival through the next Ice Age that will likely grip the Earth for the next 90,000 years. By all accounts, the Ice Age seems like heaven in comparison with the hell we've prepared for one-another and are itching to unleash.