<P>The mix of historical and modern architecture formed a backdrop against which stood a marvelous avenue of shops, restaurants, and kiosks. Beyond the street and buildings could be seen the Mediterranean bathed in sunlight. It was lined with the port facilities for which the city was known. Opposite this, off in the distance, was a large hill covered with many trees and lush greenery. This was a place Tiberius could come to enjoy.
<P>
<P>At least, this was before the clouds, the destruction, and the destitute citizens were added to the image. The sun that Tiberius had seen had forced its way out through the overcast sky, and disappeared very quickly. The buildings lining the avenue had been torn into by what appeared to be bullets, and in some cases explosions. Soldiers in black garb were removing bodies from the street as helpless, frantic onlookers moved to avoid them.
<P>
<P>Tiberius took a look at his driver and saw that he too was outfitted with the black armor, uniform, and helmet of the soldiers here. He held an assault rifle in his hand. As a crowd began to form around the van he fired several rounds into the air and the people scattered. Sealing the vehicle up tight, he led Tiberius towards a group of soldiers and terrified civilians.
<P>
<P>"What's the situation here?" he asked. One of the soldiers stepped away from the body removal and addressed him.
<P>
<P>"Everything's blacked out. We've lost all contact with the other units and resorted to martial law as soon as people started panicking." He tightened his grip on his assault shotgun as he said this. "Everything's pretty well under control right now, after our rapid show of force. There was a lot of initial resistance, but nothing we couldn't deal with. The Captain thinks there might have been sabotage to prepare for an uprising, but they didn't plan ahead too well."
<P>
<P>"It was sabotage all right, but not the way you're thinking," said the driver. "The whole global network came crashing down, Area 51's toast." The soldier's eyes went wide.
<P>
<P>"Impossible! The whole net's gone black?"