The beginning

This is the tale of my journeys to new continents and significant historical events that transpired in the process. My children, I implore you to safeguard this book and pass it down to your own children. Regrettably, neither I nor your mothers could make it to the new Pangea.

It all commenced on that fateful day, as sudden and striking as lightning and thunder. The chief scientist at the international space station announced a colossal asteroid hurtling towards Earth. This news reverberated around the world, plunging many into panic. Yet, amidst this turmoil, one young man remained calm. Dan, the protagonist of our story, held firm to the belief that the asteroid's impact would be limited, perhaps confined to a small area rather than a global catastrophe. Moreover, he pondered more about the upcoming quantum mechanics quiz than the celestial threat.

Dan, a university postgraduate student, specialized in both mechanical engineering and physics. His scholarship took him to China, and he was determined to utilize it efficiently. Consumed by his academic pursuits, he rarely indulged in idle activities. In his designated workshop, he tinkered and experimented, sporting earphones as he listened to the radio. During this time, news spread with a tone of dread: "Good afternoon. Breaking news just in: The meteor is confirmed to strike Earth in 48 hours," the Chinese journalist's voice trembled.

A fit of maniacal laughter overcame Dan. He found it incredulous that the world could end in such a manner. With this disbelief, he resumed his work, returning to his hostel around 3 a.m. the next day. Upon awakening, Dan's roommate was nowhere to be found. A search for breakfast led him to an empty kitchen, devoid even of cereal. His quest for coffee in the cafeteria proved fruitless, as the entire place lay deserted. Puzzled, he proceeded to the library, only to find it locked. Baffled by the absence of people, he powered on his phone, revealing a message alert from 4 AM: "Breaking news: The asteroid's trajectory has shifted. Government advises seeking shelter."

Reality dawned on Dan – this was not a mere scare, but a genuine threat. His thoughts shifted to survival, overriding his initial skepticism. Packing his belongings in haste, another message arrived, detailing the asteroid's imminent impact in 12 hours.