Chapter 4

Alex stayed in the living room for a moment, still holding the phone after finishing his conversation with his mother. Although the conversation had been tense, he felt that staying calm and focusing on his daily tasks would be the best way to distract himself from the discomfort of the reddish sky and the unexplained events.

He decided to head back outside to check on the animals. The dogs were still nearby, their tails wagging nervously, but at least they were no longer barking. The animals on the farm had always been his priority, and while everything seemed under control, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. As he made his way toward the stables, Ariel began speaking in his head, causing him to frown momentarily. He still wasn't used to that sensation.

"Full farm system monitoring initiated," Ariel reported with her precise, mechanical tone. "Operating systems have detected no anomalies in energy levels or the automated irrigation cycle. All crops in sector 3 are at 96% efficiency."

Alex huffed slightly as he walked toward the pens. "Great, but the crops aren't what I'm worried about right now," he muttered, more to himself than to Ariel, although he knew the AI would hear him.

When he reached the first pen, where the cows were, the first thing he noticed was their behavior. They were all huddled in a corner, clearly uneasy, something that didn't usually happen. Normally, Alex's cows were calm, but now they were moving back and forth, as if sensing some invisible threat. Some were even emitting small, louder-than-usual moos.

"What's going on with you guys?" Alex spoke softly, though he knew he wouldn't get a direct answer. He crossed the pen and checked the area for anything out of place, but everything seemed fine. The water was fresh, the feed plentiful. However, something was clearly making them uneasy.

"Ariel, any changes in the air or soil parameters near the animals?" he asked as he bent down to inspect the fences.

"The air quality in pen number one is within normal levels," Ariel responded immediately. "The temperature is 22 degrees Celsius, and relative humidity is at 60%. No toxins or significant changes in the soil have been detected."

Alex stood up, petting one of the closest cows. "Alright, then… why are they so restless?" he murmured, his gaze shifting toward the other animals, which seemed to be behaving similarly.

The dogs stayed close, watching the animals with curiosity, but they didn't seem to share the same unease as the rest of the farm animals. As he continued his inspection, Ariel kept providing information.

"The cattle are showing a slight increase in heart rate, but there are no signs of illness or physical distress," the AI added.

Alex nodded absentmindedly as he walked toward the next pen. He knew animals could sense changes in the environment long before humans could, but this was something he hadn't experienced before. Maybe it was related to the red sky, or maybe it wasn't. All he knew was that the behavior of his animals was out of the ordinary.

As he moved along, he passed by one of the tractors parked near the grain silos. Suddenly, he realized he needed to move it to load one of the compartments with fresh grain. The tractor had been left in the middle of the path after the last task he had supervised.

"Damn it, I forgot to move the tractor," he muttered, stopping for a moment to look at the enormous machine. He was about to climb into the tractor when Ariel's voice stopped him.

"The tractor can be operated remotely," said Ariel in her completely automatic manner.

Alex frowned. "What did you say?"

"The tractor system is equipped with remote control technology. I can activate it and move it to the desired location," Ariel explained without hesitation. "This function is integrated into the farm's automated system but has not been previously used due to the operator's preference for manual driving."

Alex scratched his head, trying to remember if he had ever programmed something like that. "How can you control it? And since when has that function been activated?"

"The tractor is equipped with a communication module that allows remote operation through the farm's systems. Circuits and sensors allow for precise control over long distances. The function was installed during the last software update in the machinery automation system."

Alex raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised. "I don't remember doing that, but... can you move it now?"

"Confirmed," Ariel responded. "The tractor will be moved to the requested location."

Before he could fully react, the tractor's engine roared to life. Alex watched as the massive machine began moving on its own, slowly turning and heading toward one of the grain silos. The tractor's headlights blinked, and the machine moved with surprising precision.

Alex stood in silence, processing what had just happened. "Well, that's... strange," he muttered.

The tractor reached its destination and stopped at the exact point where Alex needed it. The machine powered down and remained silent, as if nothing had happened. Alex shook his head, still processing the events.

"That was... useful," he admitted, more to himself than to Ariel. "But also pretty weird. Can I do that with more machines?"

"Confirmed. Most of the farm's automated vehicles and equipment are equipped with remote control systems. I can operate any equipment connected to the farm's central system."

"Of course you can," Alex murmured with a mix of awe and disbelief. He wasn't sure whether to feel grateful or scared by Ariel's efficiency. He had never thought of using the tractors that way, and he wasn't sure he wanted to rely so much on the AI.

After making sure the tractor was in the correct position, Alex headed toward the sheep pens, followed closely by the dogs. As he walked, he couldn't shake the feeling that everything was strange. Not just because of Ariel's voice in his head, but because the technology he had installed over the years now seemed much more advanced than he remembered.

"Ariel, is there anything else I should know about the farm? Any hidden system I haven't activated?" he asked with a sarcastic smile, though deep down, he was a little unsettled by the possibility.

"No hidden functions have been detected. All systems are operating according to the original design," Ariel responded, her tone as neutral as ever.

"Well, that's a relief," Alex said, though he wasn't entirely convinced. He knew Ariel was designed to be efficient and logical, but he still felt there was something more. Something he couldn't quite grasp.

Alex decided to shake off his doubts. What had happened with Ariel and the tractor still lingered in his mind, but there was no point in dwelling on things he couldn't change. After all, the farm's tasks wouldn't complete themselves, though with Ariel, that didn't seem like such a big problem anymore.

"I better stop thinking about this," he muttered to himself, looking at the dogs who were faithfully following him as he made his way to the next pen. Although he had gotten up late, there was still time to finish all the day's chores, and it seemed that Ariel would be his biggest ally in that. What would normally have been a tedious afternoon of work progressed surprisingly quickly, thanks to the AI's intervention. Even the dogs seemed less restless now, following Alex with more calm.

The animals in the pens were still somewhat nervous, but not as much as at the beginning of the day. It seemed that, as the hours passed, they had gotten used to the change. However, Alex couldn't help but notice a slight change in the atmosphere. Every task he performed, from feeding to maintaining the fences, seemed to go off without a hitch.

By the time he finished checking the crops and ensuring the irrigation system was working properly, the sun was beginning to set on the horizon. Or, more accurately, the two suns. Alex looked up for a moment as he walked back to his house, and that's when he felt it: a slight chill ran down his spine. He stopped in his tracks, frowning, and looked around more carefully.

"Is it getting a bit colder?" he said aloud, not expecting a concrete answer.

"There has been a recorded decrease of five degrees Celsius in the ambient temperature compared to the normal averages for this time of day," Ariel reported in her usual neutral and precise tone.

Alex rubbed his arms, feeling the cold on his skin. It wasn't unbearable, but it was unusual for the season. He looked around, seeing how the wind was lightly blowing through the nearby trees, rustling the leaves in an unsettling way. The day, which had begun with the red sky and the strange sense of something being off, was ending with an even stranger atmosphere.

"Well, at least I'm not going crazy," he muttered as he looked up at the sky. The suns, both the original and the red one, were slowly setting in the distance, their lights fading on the horizon. However, what immediately caught his attention was the moon. It wasn't the moon he had seen all his life; this one had a dark red tone, almost sinister, standing out in the twilight sky.

"Great... now the moon is red too," Alex said sarcastically, shaking his head as he continued walking toward the house. The sight of the moon, tinted with such an unusual color, gave him an uneasy feeling he couldn't shake. There was something about that image that seemed almost unnatural.

"Any changes in atmospheric conditions that explain this, Ariel?" he asked, though he already knew what was coming.

"Atmospheric conditions show no significant changes. The observed phenomenon is consistent with optical alterations related to light refraction due to suspended particles. No anomaly has been detected that represents an immediate danger."

Alex let out a sigh. No matter how much he tried to get clearer answers from Ariel, it always came down to technical explanations that didn't solve the mystery of the sky and the strange feeling that accompanied it. But, for now, it was enough. He didn't feel like thinking about it for the rest of the day.

When he reached the house, the dogs ran toward their food bowls, already accustomed to the routine. Alex silently served them food, watching as they devoured their portions with renewed energy. At least they didn't seem affected by what was happening in the sky. That was a small source of comfort.

After feeding the dogs, Alex dropped into one of the kitchen chairs, looking around at the quiet house. The air inside was warm, unlike outside, and the calm that enveloped him contrasted with the inner chaos he felt. He stared at his hands, noticing how the slight trembling he had felt all day had finally gone.

But not the cold. The cold persisted, like a subtle reminder that things were not entirely right.

As he sat in silence, Ariel spoke again, this time more calmly, though her monotone didn't vary. "Farm monitoring systems have completed the evaluation cycle. No failures were detected in the energy grid or the irrigation system. The weather forecast does not predict abrupt changes in the next 24 hours."

Alex nodded, more out of reflex than necessity. The day had been long and strange, and though he had managed to complete all his tasks, the weight of what he had seen in the sky continued to press on him. He didn't know how to explain it, but he felt that something more was happening, something beyond his farm, beyond the strange phenomena or the reports on the news.

He leaned back in the chair, closing his eyes for a moment as he tried to calm his mind. The dogs, now calm after eating, had settled into their beds, letting out small sighs as they rested. Everything seemed peaceful inside the house, but Alex knew that outside, under that red sky, the world had changed.

Sitting in the kitchen, with the dogs quietly around him, Alex decided to turn on the television. Despite everything that had happened, he still hadn't had the chance to hear a complete official explanation about the phenomenon that had covered the sky and created the second sun. He knew he wouldn't be able to rest until he knew more.

The TV screen flickered as he changed channels until he found a news program. At that moment, a panel of experts was debating what had happened on the Moon. The presenter, with a serious expression but trying to project calm, spoke as images of the damaged lunar installation flashed on the screen.

"...according to the scientists in charge, the accident on the Moon has been completely contained. There is no risk that this phenomenon will persist for long," the presenter explained. "Preliminary studies suggest that the change in the sky and the appearance of a second sun is simply a temporary atmospheric effect. Authorities are urging the public to remain calm and refrain from acts of panic or violence. The situation, though unusual, is under control."

One of the experts on the panel nodded, confirming the presenter's information. "There is no reason to panic. These kinds of phenomena, although rare, are temporary. Fluctuations in the atmosphere and sunlight are well understood, and scientific agencies are closely monitoring the situation."

Alex frowned as he listened. Everything sounded too... perfect. How could they be so sure? He looked out the window at the reddish sky and then back at the television. The experts' reassuring words clashed with what he had seen and felt all day. He couldn't shake the feeling that there was something more.

"Is there really nothing to worry about?" he muttered to himself, thinking aloud.

"Do you wish me to investigate the veracity of that statement?" Ariel's voice echoed in his head, as calm and precise as always.

Alex was a bit startled to hear her suddenly, but he was getting used to this new form of interaction faster than he expected. "Can you? Investigate what they're saying on the news, I mean."

"It is within my capabilities," Ariel responded robotically. "However, full information is restricted to private and confidential databases. I will need your authorization to access those systems."

Alex remained silent for a moment, processing what Ariel had just told him. He knew that what was happening wasn't something they could share openly, and if there were real answers, they were likely hidden in those databases. Finally, he made a decision.

"Do it," he said with determination. "You have my permission to access those systems."

"Understood. Initiating access to restricted databases," Ariel responded without hesitation.

The silence in the kitchen grew heavy as Alex waited. He wasn't sure how long it would take, but he knew Ariel was efficient. It didn't take long before the AI spoke again.

"I have a preliminary report to share," Ariel announced. "The accident on the Moon was caused during a hadron collision experiment aimed at replicating high-energy conditions similar to the Big Bang. During the experiment, an unexpected surge of cosmic radiation affected the equipment, leading to a destabilization of the containment fields."

Alex frowned. "Wait, what does that even mean?"

"It means that the accumulated energy was greater than anticipated, resulting in a breach in reality," Ariel continued in her usual, emotionless tone. "This breach allowed the entry of unknown matter from an unidentified origin. Preliminary analysis indicates that the matter that crossed the breach is responsible for the appearance of the second red sun."

Alex leaned forward in his chair, his hands gripping the edge of the table. "A breach in reality? Unknown matter? This is... this is insane."

Ariel pressed on, not stopping. "The red sun is a phenomenon that appears to be composed of exotic particles that have not been identified in any prior studies. These particles are emitting radiation that is affecting Earth's electromagnetic and gravitational fields, causing alterations in weather patterns and the atmosphere."

Alex felt confusion overwhelm him. The situation was becoming increasingly complex and difficult to comprehend. "Wait, Ariel, you're saying this isn't just an accident... it's something much bigger, isn't it?"

"Correct. The phenomenon is not limited to an atmospheric event. The exotic particles that have entered the solar system are directly affecting Earth's gravitational stability."

Alex closed his eyes for a moment, trying to process all the information Ariel had given him. "And what does all this mean for us? Is it dangerous?"

There was a brief silence, as if Ariel was processing more data. "There is insufficient data to determine the exact level of danger. However, the particles emitted by the red sun are interfering with Earth's magnetic fields and destabilizing the planet's gravity. This has already caused a misalignment in the rotation axis, resulting in a gradual and prolonged decrease in global temperature."

Alex felt a chill run down his spine. "The temperature is going to drop?"

"Correct. The planet will experience a gradual decline in temperature, which could reach extremely low levels. The gravity of the red sun has disrupted Earth's balance, and the exotic particles are affecting the planet's ability to retain heat."

"How much are we talking about? How low will the temperature drop?"

"Current projections indicate that global temperatures could drop several degrees below zero within weeks. However, the estimated time to reach these levels is uncertain, as it depends on the amount of particles emitted and how they interact with the atmosphere."

Alex leaned back in his chair, feeling the weight of the information begin to overwhelm him. The temperature was going to drop, and no one knew how far. The entire planet was at risk of facing a drastic climate change, and no one seemed prepared for it.

"So... how are we supposed to deal with this?" he asked, more to himself than to Ariel.

"The most logical course of action is to prepare for a prolonged temperature decline. It is recommended to increase food reserves, optimize heating systems, and ensure a constant energy supply. The duration and magnitude of the phenomenon are unpredictable."

Alex remained silent for a moment. He knew the situation was serious, but hearing Ariel's explanation made it all feel much more real. The cold he had begun to feel was no coincidence; it was the start of something much bigger and more dangerous.

"And how long do we have before this gets worse?"

"It is difficult to predict with accuracy. The initial changes will be gradual, but temperatures could drop to critical levels in the coming weeks or months. The phenomenon continues to evolve."

Alex stared at the television screen, though he no longer paid attention to what the experts were saying. He knew they weren't telling the whole truth. The accident on the Moon had triggered something far beyond human understanding, and now the entire world was facing a threat no one could stop.