[ WP ] Every current living human is granted a single wish with one condition : after using it they only have one more year to live .

Wish 
 
 `` How many?'' 
 
 Nobody spoke. The conference room was filled with a deathly silence. He looked around at each of the men and women seated there and slammed his hand on the table, `` Goddamnit! How many dead men walking so far?'' 
 
 Alena spoke, flicking the screen of her pda, `` So far about a good five hundred thousand have answered positively to the reporting centres. Who knows how many else have succumbed to the Wish?'' 
 
 `` Five... five hundred thousand...'' He moved away from the table, pacing furiously, `` And that is just the official number.'' 
 
 `` We're getting similar reports all around the world.'' she continued dryly, `` It's not entirely unexpected. There are many people out there living unhappy lives that they would gladly trade in for their deepest desires.'' she adjusted her glasses, staring back at the screen, `` Especially when you do n't have to pay the price immediately... just a year or so later in fact.'' 
 
 He shut his eyes, then snapped them open, glaring across the table. `` Did any of you take up the Wish? Anyone?'' 
 
 A few hands rose around the table. 
 
 `` Get out of my sight.'' he said, `` Ok... we need to get a handle on this situation quickly.'' 
 
 `` We could try tying up the communications system of the aliens!'' Marty suggested, `` I've got a report here from the CIA saying they've got something in the works. That'll halt the Wish for a while.'' 
 
 James nodded, `` I've got a list of influential types on hand- a viral marketing campaign could be useful to slow down the bleeding numbers at least.'' 
 
 `` I have the army working on modifying our current stockpile of nuclear weapons.'' Alena said dryly, `` With any luck we'll have something we can use soon to take down the alien ships.'' 
 
 He clapped his hands together, `` Good. That's a start at least. The rest of you... let's get to work.'' 
 
 `` Relax sir, I have n't seen you this stiff since that crisis at the pentagon. We'll get through this like we always do.'' Marty told him, patting his shoulder as he walked past. 
 
 `` I hope so.'' he said, `` I certainly hope so. God help us all if we fail.'' 
 

