There is a certain expectation to how humanity is supposed to react to a giant apocalyptic space crab appearing in the sky above. There is meant to be panic, looting, hedonism, the breakdown of law and order, the activation of military assets, the readying of atomic weapons. The apocalypse is supposed to transfigure the state into an engine of war and survival, and all deviant or weak individuals are meant to be caught in the chaos.

But what if it didn't?

The pharmacist looks up at the sky, thinks for a little while, eats a quick breakfast and goes into work early. She prepares everyone's prescriptions in advance, and then empties out the storage cabinet so that everyone will have a decent stockpile if it comes to that. She sets them all out on the counter, then leaves the door unlocked and sets out on her bicycle to make her deliveries. The same day as normal, just a little accelerated.

A road engineer gets an email telling him that the day has been declared a public holiday for all non-essential staff. He looks up at the sky for a while, and then leaves his home and goes next door. He sits down with his neighbor, who reminds him that he should fill his bathtub with water just in case. Then he goes back and they have tea together, catching up for the first time in a long while.

A general receives a notice of mobilization in a red envelope. She walks out the back to a large tin shed and unlocks the rusted deadbolt. Inside, on a massive stone pedestal, is a glowing red demon blade, coruscating with the awakened energies of hell. The general walks right past it and picks up her own, far more mundane sword, and goes to stand out the front. She was a Princess once, but now she's the highest ranking - and only - professional soldier in the nation. If things get bad enough, someone will come for the demon blade. Her job will be to stop unworthy hands from touching it.

Civil disaster relief officials move throughout communities, opening stockpiles, educating residents, reminding people of emergency shelter locations and firefighting techniques. Princesses put on their prettiest battle dresses. Chefs reach for the expensive saffron. The comptroller increases the number of trains heading to the beaches, the mountains and other scenic locations. Across all the world, priorities are quietly reshuffled and timetables moved up, and that is all. Humanity takes in a deep breath, and then lets it out. It is a very simple technique. It just took a very long time to teach everyone, everywhere to do it.