Chapter 6

Alex looked at his phone while waiting for the call to connect. He knew the conversation with his father wouldn't be easy. After what he had discovered about the red sun and the impending crisis, he felt compelled to warn his family, but he also knew his father wasn't someone who could be easily convinced, especially when the government had already said everything was under control.

Finally, the call connected, and his father's deep, confident voice came through on the other end.

"Alex, how are you, son? Everything okay on the farm?"

Alex pressed the phone against his ear, searching for the right words. "Dad, yeah... everything's fine, more or less. Listen, I've been thinking... you should come to the farm with Mom and Emma. We're well prepared here, and with what's happening out there, I think it'd be safer if you all came."

There was a brief pause before his father responded. "The farm? I don't know, Alex. Being in the city is the safest. We have everything here: hospitals, supplies... there's no reason to leave. Besides, I have responsibilities; I can't just leave."

Alex sighed. He knew his father was a reliable, principled man, committed to his work and duties. He'd always been like that. As a politician, albeit in a minor position, his father had complete faith in the authorities, something Alex was seriously beginning to question.

"I understand, Dad, but... there's something you need to know. I've been doing some research, and the red sun isn't just a temporary atmospheric phenomenon. There's more going on, something they're not saying on the news. The government might be trying to keep people calm, but I think things are going to get much worse."

His father was silent for a few seconds, increasing Alex's frustration. Finally, he responded, "Look, son, I know all this seems strange, but the government has been clear. Scientists have said there's nothing to worry about. This is temporary, and the authorities have it under control. You can't believe everything you see on the Internet or hear out there."

Alex felt frustration build in his chest. He knew his father trusted institutions, but this time he was wrong. "Dad, I'm talking about real reports. The temperature is dropping, and it's going to keep dropping. This isn't normal, and it's not just temporary. You need to prepare. Please, at least consider it."

His father let out a heavy sigh, but his tone remained the same as always: firm and confident. "Son, I can't leave my post right now. I have responsibilities here; people rely on me, and I can't abandon them in the middle of all this. The city is safe. I appreciate your concern, but I think it's best for you to come here. You'll be protected."

Alex clenched his jaw, fighting the sense of helplessness. "I can't, Dad. There are things I can't leave here. Plus, the temperatures are already dropping, and it'll be safer if you have a place that's prepared. Stock up on food and make sure you have what you need. If things get bad, you can always come to the farm. I'll be here."

"Alright, Alex," his father said after a brief pause. "But seriously, think about it. You'll have everything you need here. And if you ever decide to come, the doors are always open for you."

Alex nodded, even though he knew his father couldn't see him. "Thanks, Dad. Just... take care of yourselves, okay? And think about what I said."

They said their goodbyes, and when the call ended, Alex let out a long sigh, feeling exhausted. He hadn't managed to convince his father, but at least he had planted the seed of doubt. Maybe, in time, his father would see the signs and understand that he wasn't exaggerating.

Ariel, who had been silent during the conversation, spoke up. "Do not worry. There is still time for your family to decide to come. The temperature drop will be gradual. For now, it is more important to focus on securing the farm."

Alex nodded, though he still felt frustrated. "You're right. I can't force them to come, but at least I warned them. Is everything set with the orders?"

"That is correct," Ariel responded in her usual precise tone. "All necessary supplies have been ordered. Payments were successfully processed, and shipments are scheduled. We have secured the purchase of generators, heating systems, food reserves, and equipment for the animals. Additional solar panels will also be installed to ensure a stable power supply in the event of a prolonged blackout."

"Perfect," Alex muttered, though the weight of the situation still left him tense. "When will they start arriving?"

"The first shipments will be at the farm within the next 48 hours. It is recommended to begin preparations for receiving and storing the supplies. Additionally, it will be necessary to verify the proper installation of the generators and heating systems to ensure optimal functionality."

Alex reclined in his chair, staring at the ceiling. He knew Ariel was right; planning was the only thing he could focus on at the moment. But he couldn't shake the feeling of helplessness. His family didn't believe him, the world continued as if nothing was wrong, and he was isolated on the farm, fighting a problem that few wanted to face.

"The cold's already starting to feel a bit worse each day, isn't it?" Alex asked, almost in a whisper.

"Correct. The temperature has dropped 1.5 degrees Celsius since yesterday. The decline will continue progressively, reaching critical levels in the coming weeks."

Alex closed his eyes and sighed. He knew time was limited, but at least he had taken action. Everything was in motion. All that remained was to wait and prepare.

Alex stood up from the chair and made his way to the main room. Though he had decided to focus on the farm's preparations, he still couldn't shake the unease he felt. Ariel, of course, had already taken the initiative, but Alex needed to visualize everything clearly.

"Ariel, can you show me the plans again?" he asked as he sank into the couch.

"Of course," Ariel replied immediately.

The television in front of Alex flickered, and suddenly a 3D image of the farm appeared on the screen. The model was detailed, almost realistic, and showed the vast expanse of land his property covered. Despite being relatively close to three major cities, the farm was in a fairly remote location. It was surrounded by hills, a large mountain to the west, and a dense forest to the north. The river that flowed from the mountains ran through part of his property, and the hectares of land he owned seemed more extensive than he remembered.

Ariel zoomed in on the planned transformation. The first thing that caught Alex's attention was the enormous concrete wall surrounding the entire property. The wall was imposing, at least six meters high and reinforced with steel plates at its base. It was more like a military fortress than a farm.

"Is a wall that big really necessary?" Alex raised an eyebrow. "I get it for protecting the farm, but... six meters high?"

"The wall is necessary to ensure perimeter security," Ariel explained in her usual tone. "It will not only serve as a barrier against extreme cold and the blizzards that may hit the area but also against potential external threats, human or animal. During the prolonged temperature drop, local fauna may migrate into the area seeking shelter, and it is likely that humanity, facing an unprecedented crisis, will resort to violence to obtain resources."

Alex crossed his arms, watching as the view of the farm expanded. Inside the wall, Ariel had designed a series of completely new buildings and structures. There were several greenhouses, all covered by transparent domes that would allow sunlight in while maintaining a controlled climate. The greenhouses were connected by walkways, and inside them, Ariel had planned advanced irrigation, heating, and ventilation systems to ensure the crops survived even in the most extreme conditions.

"There's not just a wall," Ariel continued, "I've designed an electrical generation system based on advanced solar panels that will be installed in the coming weeks. Backup generators powered by wind and diesel energy will also be installed, with enough capacity to keep the farm operational indefinitely."

Alex slowly nodded, processing all the information. "That makes sense. The electrical system is crucial, but... all those greenhouses? I'm not sure we'll need that many, right?"

"Food production will be key for long-term survival," Ariel replied. "In an ice age, external food sources will be limited or non-existent. The greenhouses will not only provide food for you and the animals but can also be used to trade goods with others when resources become scarce. It's a strategy for self-sufficiency."

Alex ran a hand through his hair, looking at the vast expanse of the farm. What had once been a rural space with several crops and livestock was now turning into a modern fortress, ready to face what seemed like the end of the world.

"And the house?" he asked, noticing that even his home had been modified in the plans. "I see you've made some changes there too."

"The house will be reinforced with additional insulating panels to maintain a constant indoor temperature," explained Ariel. "I have added automated security systems such as surveillance drones, high-precision security cameras, and a motorized entry barrier to control access to the perimeter."

Alex frowned, pausing on one detail that caught his attention. "Surveillance drones? Weapons? Do you really think all this is necessary?"

Ariel responded quickly. "Humanity, when facing extreme crises, becomes unpredictable. Projections indicate that as the climate situation worsens, social structures will begin to collapse. The shortage of food and resources will lead people to resort to violence. The security of the farm is essential to ensure your survival."

Alex sighed. He knew Ariel was right in her analysis, but the idea of turning his home into an armed fortress didn't sit well with him. However, he understood that in a world falling apart, security couldn't be left to chance.

"And what about... this?" He pointed to the image of a steel gate blocking the river entrance.

"The steel gate is designed to prevent foreign bodies, whether animals or humans, from entering the property through the river," Ariel explained calmly. "Additionally, sensors installed on the gate will monitor water flow and temperature, ensuring that the water supply doesn't freeze or become contaminated during the extreme winter."

Alex laughed, but without humor. "So basically, we've turned the farm into a self-sufficient, armed refuge to survive the end of the world."

"Correct," Ariel affirmed. "The design is optimized to withstand the extreme conditions of an ice age as well as external threats resulting from social collapse. Self-sufficiency will be key for long-term survival."

Alex dropped back into the couch, looking at the 3D map on the screen. What had once been an ordinary farm now looked more like a high-tech bunker, surrounded by walls, drones, and sensors. While the vision was impressive, he couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by the scale of what Ariel had planned.

"Tell me something, how do you plan to build all of this in a few weeks? It's not like we have an army of builders here," he asked, still trying to process the enormity of the project.

"To speed up the process, I have requested several pieces of heavy equipment and automated robots," Ariel explained. "The robots are programmed to work continuously and efficiently. As long as they are remotely controlled, the construction time will be significantly reduced. According to my calculations, it is possible to complete construction in a few weeks, barring any interruptions."

Alex nodded, impressed but still a little skeptical. "Well, I guess that makes sense. But what about the workers? I gave them permission to stay home. I don't want anyone else here right now."

"That won't be a problem," Ariel responded. "The drones and automated robots will work without human intervention. In fact, the absence of other humans will reduce the likelihood of error and increase the efficiency of the processes."

Alex sighed. It was strange to be alone on the farm, though he knew Ariel was there, always watching and controlling everything. The drones flew over the property day and night, monitoring every corner of the land, and soon, the farm would be unrecognizable.

"I guess this is what it takes to survive," he muttered to himself, looking at the screen one last time before turning it off.

Alex sat in the chair in his room, the dogs lying at his feet. He had turned on the television more out of habit than interest, the sound of the news in the background filling the space. The major networks were still debating the accident on the Moon, with analysts repeating the same phrases, assuring everyone that things were under control.

"...the government has reiterated that there is no immediate danger. The climate fluctuations and visual effects in the sky are temporary, and the situation is being closely monitored by the relevant authorities," a confident-sounding analyst said, as images of the reddish sky—now a common sight in recent days—flashed on the screen.

Alex let out a sigh, shaking his head. "If they only knew the truth... or if they'd just stop lying," he muttered, stroking the head of one of the dogs curled up next to him. He couldn't help but feel frustrated. He knew that what they were saying on the news wasn't even half of what was really happening. He had seen the reports, lived through it, and now was preparing for the worst-case scenario. Yet the rest of the world seemed to be holding onto the hope that everything would somehow resolve itself.

Another analyst, this time an older man with a stern expression, began to speak. "It's natural for people to be concerned about unknown phenomena, but we must trust our scientists and the government. So far, there's no reason to think this is anything more than a temporary event."

Alex snorted. "Temporary? Sure, because two suns and a red moon are the most normal thing in the world," he commented sarcastically. He knew that most people preferred to believe the easier version, that everything would go back to normal. But he had seen enough to know things were only going to get worse.

He grabbed his phone and began scrolling through social media. The chaos, at least in the virtual world, was palpable. As he scrolled through the posts, he saw a variety of reactions: some people talked about the end of the world, posting memes and conspiracy theories. Others, however, shared photos of the reddish sky, commenting on how beautiful it looked. It was as if part of the population was trying to turn what was happening into something poetic, ignoring the gravity of the situation.

"Impressive, the ability to ignore the obvious," Alex murmured as he kept scrolling through the comments. There were videos of people around the world reacting to the red sky. Some were live-streaming, wondering if all this was a sign of something worse. Others were simply sharing their reflections, trying to find calm amidst the chaos.

However, something caught Alex's attention. Among the posts, strange images and rumors began to surface about dead animals found on the outskirts of cities. One of the videos showed an animal—a deer, it seemed— with a strange deformity: its head looked larger than usual, as if it had begun to develop a second jaw. The animal lay dead in a field, and the person filming wondered if it had something to do with the red sun.

"What the hell...?" Alex muttered, frowning as he watched the video. He moved on to the next post, which showed something similar. This time it was a fox with unusually bright fur and larger-than-normal eyes. It looked almost otherworldly, but it was also dead, found on the outskirts of a nearby city.

He decided to ask. "Ariel, have you detected anything about mutations in animals? I've been seeing some posts online about deformed animals."

Ariel responded almost immediately. "There is not enough data to confirm whether these phenomena are related to the red sun or the breach in reality. Current reports are purely anecdotal, and no conclusive scientific studies have been conducted on these cases."

Alex nodded, though a part of him couldn't shake the feeling of unease. "So... they could just be rumors."

"That is a possibility," Ariel said. "Until more verifiable data is obtained, no direct connection can be established between these events and the current phenomenon."

Alex let out a long sigh and decided not to dwell on the matter any longer. If Ariel couldn't confirm anything, then it wasn't worth worrying about something that might not be related to what was happening. However, the fact that even animals seemed to be reacting strangely to the red sun left him with a sense of unease he couldn't shake off.

As he turned off his phone, he felt the weight of the situation fall on him once more. Although he had managed to prepare the farm for what was coming, the uncertainty remained overwhelming. The world was transforming in ways no one fully understood, and while he felt safe in his refuge, he knew he couldn't predict what would come next.

He looked at the dogs, still by his side, resting peacefully. For a moment, amidst the chaos, the scene he found himself in was almost comforting. He was alone on the farm, surrounded by technology and drones keeping watch, but at least he had company.

"I guess there's nothing more to do for now," he murmured, stroking one of the dogs. "Just wait."

With that final thought, he leaned back in the chair, watching as the lights from the television flickered in the room. Outside, the night was as strange as the day, with the sky stained red and the moon glowing with that eerie dark hue. The world was changing, and Alex knew he had to be ready for

 whatever came next.