The world stopped spinning; its path around the sun had likewise severed. Gravity was all but gone as the Earth roved through outer-space.

“Our planet – crashing?” Hans shivered as he inquired. “Into what?”

“The earth moves through space at a speed of over one-hundred-thousand kilometers per hour,” Alarick responded. “Thousands of of miles are traversed in a matter of minutes!”

“Ja?”

“Jawohl! – At that speed, the moon is only two-and-a-half hours away!”

The glaciologists sat upon the snowy crevice motionless. Both struggled to contemplate the inconceivable fact that their planet was on a collision course with its moon. The fate of the world rested heavily on their weary shoulders. Despair overwhelmed them; they felt weak and afraid.

Breaking the icy silence, Hans placed a hand on his partner. “What can we do?” he asked. He didn’t expect his friend to answer.

At long last, with intense eyes and his chin in hand, Alarick gave the reply. His voice no louder than a whisper. “We must repair the Axis.”