Prologue: The Aftermath Summary

There are several hundred people attending the dedication of a new bridge that spans Glen Canyon between Utah and Arizona. Glen Canyon houses the Colorado River, which was once a raging force of nature, but is now a tame glacier river, thanks to the building of the Glen Canyon Dam. The ribbon that is to be cut spans from one side of the bridge to the other, and the edges of the bridge are adorned with banners. As the ribbon is cut, onlookers notice it burns like a fuse to the center. Suddenly, unplanned fireworks begin to shoot off, and the bridge appears to be on fire. The onlookers begin to cheer, but are suddenly silent as a huge explosion rips the bridge in half, sending smoke, debris, and empty vehicles crashing seven hundred feet to the river below...