Asteroid

*"Still not debunked."*

This page or section contains **speculation**, using some level of in-game knowledge to make inferences.

As such, information presented here should be taken with a grain of salt.

This article or section contains speculation based on some level of in-game knowledge to make inferences. As such, information presented here should be taken with a grain of salt.

> *"my parents can no longer tell me they had it worse than me. sure they had a recession but i have the LITERAL APOCALYPSE"*
> —A social media post
>
>

The **Asteroid**, scientific name **CO-103**, also referred to as the **Meteor**, is an astronomical object that has the potential to hit the planet Pangea is located on. While the Asteroid itself doesn't do too much to the protagonists, the mental tax of impending total annihilation weighs heavy. According to a news article Reed shares, the Asteroid is about 10 kilometers (6 miles) in size.

Given the Reveal Trailer specifically calls out "you know what happened to the dinosaurs", it is highly likely the Asteroid is the Chicxulub Impactor. That said, our world does not feature evidence of walking, talking dinosaurs, so parallels may feature embellishments.

## Effects

### Direct

The only known, direct effect the Asteroid has had is its electromagnetic disturbance. As it approaches, the electrical grid suffers more and more blackouts. In addition, the electromagnetic spectrum used for phone communication falls out, noticed by Fang and the gang as phone messages begin failing to send. Finally, this radiation eventually grows intense enough to cause auroras visible during broad daylight. It is unclear why a distant asteroid would have an impact comparable to the sun's solar flares and wind.

While Fang never experiences the true extent of it, these blackouts could have caused damage long before the Asteroid might hit. Hospitals, vehicles, interrupted emergency calls, or simply individuals using tools would suffer disruption that may lead to injury or worse. There's also the economical damage of delayed shipments, disruptions in placing orders, or glitches in POS systems.

As the Asteroid continues to approach, all planes are grounded out of fear of "debris fields". This implies that air travel was unbothered by the electromagnetic disturbances occurring prior, at least for a time.

However, it is possible—perhaps even plausible—that the Asteroid's apparent electromagnetic effects are the result of separate, unrelated phenomena. While no other culprits are ever raised to attribute the disturbances to, it is mentioned on the news that the Asteroid being the source of the disturbance was ultimately the opinion of a small number of scientists. Even Naomi, whose academic rigor usually leads to her being believed on scientific matters at face value by the other members of the Dinogang, casts doubt on the idea at one point.

### Indirect

The more immediate damage for the protagonists is the growing anxiety over impeding doom. Being told you only have nine months to live is a significant emotional, social and mental burden, that only becomes worse when it extends not just to everyone you know, but your very ability to leave a legacy. It is, in a sense, the ultimate nihilism: nothing matters, because you will be dead, your friends will be dead, and everything you've ever done will be vaporized.

Towards the end of the game, specifically after Episode Five's major blackout and aurora, a form of action is taken. Most people consider the end inevitable enough to stop bothering: LJ closes down the Lava Java and intends to retreat to the woods until it blows over, while the Caldera School Administration suspends all classes indefinitely. The latter could be rational adults realizing no teenagers would actually attend school, or that even the CSA has fallen to the despair.

### Hypothetical Impact

While the game never mentions if an impact happens, should the Asteroid impact, the results would be catastrophic. Assuming the Asteroid is similar to the Chicxulub impactor (about 10-15 km or 6-9 miles) it would cause several other major disasters. It is unknown how much preparation the Pangean government has taken, or if that would even be feasible. The devastation, displacement and climate effects (called an impactor winter) of an impact are a significant challenge, even for a modern civilization.

## Trivia

* During the Story Trailer, a social media post from the asteroid (or at least from a dinosaur with a sense of humor) can be seen saying "hi everybody".

* The asteroid can be seen as being similar to the meteor near the end of *Final Fantasy VII*. Both games have them in their logos. There also appear to be some *Final Fantasy* references; Reed's name in L&L is "Sydd" (similar to Cid) and Keph resembles Sephiroth. Keph and Sephiroth both have roles in instigating doomsday with meteor summons.
* There is a small running gag throughout the game of characters calling it the "meteor" when it is technically an asteroid, showing who is pedantic in the end of times.