Commentary 1
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Part of Turn the Page


On Ascension:
(excerpted from the Encyclopedia Crystalia, 3004)

...Earth's attempt at Ascension is particularly different from other
attempts in several ways:

1) It was the first known Ascension that was attempted twice.  While the
'Second Impact' was the result of a failed experiment, the phenomena that
were associated it were remarkably similar to other failed Ascensions on
record.

2) Earth was the least advanced planet to ever attempt Ascension.

3) Taking the period of the Second Impact to the Third as the total duration
of the Ascension, Earth's is the longest on record.

4) Unlike Ascension attempts on other planets, Earth's was instigated
through the actions of a small group of people, rather than the concerted
efforts of the whole population.

5) Physical phenomena, curiously named 'Angels' were manifested during the
years in between the two Impacts.

6) While it did succeed, Earth's Ascension attempt is the only one that has
been reversed, through the concerted efforts of the new group-mind and
Neo-Queen Serenity.


On the Second Impact
(excerpted from the Encyclopedia Britannia, 2010)

...effects of the Second Impact were remarkably similar to that of an atomic
explosion, albeit on a much larger scale than any explosion that could be
manufactured by the technology of the day.

The actual 'kill zone' of the Second Impact encompassed the entirety of the
South Pole, as well as the lower portions of South America, Africa, and
Australia.  However, like a nuclear explosion, the effects extended much
further.

The most-far reaching effect, which was felt as far as the North Pole mere
minutes later, was the incredible shockwave the event introduced. The
shockwave had incredible destructive power, and it's effects in areas as far
away as Sweden were likened to an earthquake of  9.1 on the Richter scale.
Within seconds of the first shockwave, a second was felt, this one an
aftershock of the first.  This second was estimated to have the same effect
as an earthquake of 5.2 on the Richter scale.  The two shockwaves accounted
for almost 75% of the total casualties of the Second Impact.

Within minutes of the shockwaves, coastal areas were hard hit with
devastating tidal waves.  Japan was one of the hardest hit from the
combination of the shockwaves and tidal waves, with total deaths numbering
approximately 110 million....