Flashbacks

Two days ago (in future Jimmy's timeline)

''Fuck,'' That was the only thing that came out from Rick Jones' mouth when he arrived at the research facility base located 200 meters underneath the Sierra Nevada range. The Special Warrant Officer did not believe his eyes as he stepped over a solid metal wreck to make his way into what 24 hours ago was one of the most technologically advanced research lab in the United States, if not in the whole world. Instead, the immaculate work area that was manned by some of the best scientists was now a ruin. Electronic devices on site were melted or outright destroyed. There were cables jutting out from the ceiling. Rick Jones wasn't too worried about them, when an explosion was heard in the very early hours in the morning, the fail-safe mechanisms of the compound kicked in, shutting down the affected area. The compartmentalized design of the facility made it easier to stop the fire from spreading.

As the overseer of the research facility, Rick Jones was more worried about the figures who were inside the room with him right now. They weren't his men, despite the fact that they were wearing hazmat suits identical to one he was wearing. At this time, he was more worried about what they would dig up. Of course he had made some arrangements before they came, his gaze wandered to the giant titanium box on the middle of the room that appeared to be left unscathed

.

''Sir?'', a figure wearing hazmat suit stood in front of him. The voice was rather garbled, coming from inside the suit, but Rick Jones could recognise that voice anywhere. It was his deputy, Michelle Robertson. ''The President wants to see you and the Secretary of Defense is with her.''

Rick closed his eyes momentarily, he knew that this was coming, but he didn't expect it to be this soon. ''Fine,'' he said through gritted teeth,'' Gather the scientists, I'll see them after this.''

***

''Ma'am, Sir'' Rick greeted the President and the Secretary of Defense who were already waiting in his office.

''There's no need to salute,'' the President interjected when she saw Rick entering the room. ''Sit down,''

''Yes Ma'am,'' Rick sat down and looked at his guests, alternating between the two.

''What happened?''

Rick took a deep breath. ''There was an explosion in one of the research rooms located at 210 meters below ground.''

''What was the cause? Were there anyone in the room during the explosion?''

''We,'' Rick paused and he looked at the Secretary of Defense, ''don't know yet at the moment. Ms. Robertson is currently trying to find out if everyone's okay.'' Rick looked again at the Secretary of Defense. ''But it was in the early hours, so I doubt that there were anyone in the room while it happened.''

''Is there no surveillance feed?''

''There are no surveillance cameras at all Ma'am,'' Rick paused, ''Your predecessor, he specifically didn't install any inside the research labs, only around the perimeters. He was afraid that hackers would be able to gain access and gain classified information.''

The frown on the President's face made her look 10 years older. It wasn't the start of term that she had wished for. The facility and the research undertaken inside it was only revealed to her by the Secretary of Defense very recently. She only hoped that other countries would not find out about it. If she was lucky, it would only be reported as a massive earthquake. She dread the thought of the worst possible outcome.

''Is there any possibility of-,'' the President's voice shook as she contemplated the worst possible outcome.

''Ma'am,'' this time, it was the Secretary of Defense. ''We made doubly sure that what happened at the Large Hadron Collider will not happen here.'' there was a grim visage on all three faces on that room. ''Our facility here is also smaller than the one now defunct in Geneva. Any chance of, ''the Secretary of Defense hesitated, '' - a blackhole, will be extremely rare.''

''Even if it was likely to happen,'' Rick found his voice again, ''Our researches on black holes in outer space has given us more insight. This lab is fitted with countermeasures and our location is much deeper than the LHC. Whoever designed this facility knew what they were doing.'' Although he was appointed the overseer of the entire operation, Rick was often surprised and made to marvel at the height of technology contained within the site.

A look of relief briefly washed over the President's face, ''I want a written report on my desk by tomorrow morning.''

''Yes Ma'am.''