The Sun Shall Be Darkened

The knock at the Oval Office door was soft but insistent. “Come in,” President Sanchez called.

The door opened to reveal John Holden, senior science advisor to the President, clutching his briefcase like a shield. His unease was obvious. Sanchez noticed—and shared it.

“Sit down, John,” Sanchez said, gesturing to the pair of armchairs near the fireplace. The President remained standing for a moment, then slowly crossed the room and settled opposite his advisor.

“Thank you, Mr. President,” Holden said, lowering himself into the chair with visible discomfort.

Sanchez steepled his fingers, studying Holden. “You know why you’re here.”

Holden nodded. “Yes, sir. I received the briefing materials.”

The President exhaled sharply. “You know Edward Harmon, of course.”

“The university president? Yes, we’ve served on several panels together. He’s well respected.”

“He’s also a very old and very loyal friend.” Sanchez’s tone hardened. “One of the few who helped get me elected. Fundraising. Networking. Introductions. I owe him more than I can repay.”

Holden nodded, reading between the lines.

“He’s called in a favor,” Sanchez continued. “A personal one.”

Holden waited.

“Harmon’s pushing for a former colleague of his—a man named Manny Volynsky. You’ve heard of him, I presume?”

Holden tried not to wince. “Yes, sir. I’m familiar with Dr. Volynsky’s work.”

“Harmon wants me to ensure Volynsky gets a platform at the upcoming American Astronomical Society conference here in D.C. The Society wasn’t inclined to give him much time, if any.”

“That’s understandable, sir. Volynsky’s theories are… unconventional.”

Sanchez leaned forward. “That’s why you’re here, John. Before I respond to Harmon, I want you to give me your candid assessment of Volynsky’s claims.”

Holden shifted in his seat. “Mr. President, Manny Volynsky is a leading proponent of the Electric Universe model.”

“The what?”

“An alternative cosmology. It suggests that electromagnetism plays a far greater role in the universe than gravity does. Plasma streams, galactic currents—that sort of thing.”

Sanchez raised an eyebrow. “Plasma? Like lightning?”

“In a sense, yes. Plasma is ionized gas that conducts electricity. According to this model, vast filaments of plasma carry electric currents across interstellar space. Volynsky argues that our sun isn’t powered primarily by nuclear fusion, but by external electric currents flowing through these galactic filaments.”

“You’re serious.”

“As serious as the theory allows, sir. It’s highly speculative. The mainstream scientific community rejects it as pseudoscience.”

“And you?” Sanchez pressed. “You hold a degree in plasma physics.”

Holden sighed. “Mr. President, I teach the consensus view: the sun’s energy comes from nuclear fusion. Volynsky’s model challenges that at a fundamental level.”

“But could he be even partially correct?”

Holden paused. “There are aspects of plasma behavior we don’t fully understand. The universe is filled with electromagnetic fields and currents. But to suggest the sun might flicker or fail due to variations in galactic currents—that remains highly controversial.”

Sanchez narrowed his eyes. “What about the sunspot cycles?”

Holden nodded reluctantly. “Volynsky argues that sunspot cycles correlate with fluctuations in these galactic currents. Stronger currents produce more energy; weaker currents, less.”

“So hypothetically, if the sun’s position shifted relative to one of these currents—”

“Its energy output could drop. Temporarily.”

Sanchez rose and paced toward the window, staring out over the South Lawn. “You’ve reviewed the STEREO and SDO satellite data?”

Holden hesitated. “Yes, sir.”

“And?”

“We observed an anomaly a few weeks ago—a brief, unexplained dimming. The data is still under review.”

“Volynsky’s theory might explain it?”

“It’s one possible explanation,” Holden admitted. “But not one I’d stake my reputation on without extensive peer review.”

Sanchez turned sharply. “And the rogue planet? The one recently detected entering the outer system? Does Volynsky connect that too?”

“He does. He believes its approach will intensify electromagnetic interactions—triggering widespread seismic activity, volcanic eruptions, and potentially additional dimming events.”

“And the moon?”

Holden swallowed. “The moon could experience inductive heating. Without an atmosphere to dissipate the heat, its surface may glow—possibly blood-red.”

The President’s face darkened. “The sun shall be darkened, and the moon turned to blood…”

“Sir?”

“A verse from the Bible,” Sanchez murmured, waving it off. “Never mind.”

A long pause settled between them.

Finally, Sanchez shook his head, frustration thick in his voice. “John, I don’t know if this man is a prophet or a lunatic. But Harmon’s leaning hard. The conference is already filled with government-funded researchers, contractors, and lobbyists. We’re already deeply invested.”

He fixed Holden with a cold stare. “Grant Volynsky’s request. Quietly smooth the way. The administration will stay officially neutral.”

Holden blinked. “Yes, Mr. President.”

“And John?”

“Sir?”

“If this man turns out to be right… God help us all.”

Holden nodded, his throat dry, as the meeting ended.