The Dane Commission (The Dane Chronicles)

by Dane, Max

  Ryan had looked through the directory over at the London IntelliHealth Facility, and come up with a few names of individuals to try. The first name on his list was the office assistant for the counterpart to Ben James. His name was Jack Spree, and his office assistant was Samuel Post. If Samuel was anything like Theresa, he might know better who to send Ryan to.

  With his fingers crossed, he took his first stab at getting through, and dialed the number on his televid. A face appeared and said, “Hello this is the office of Mr. Spree, my name is Samuel, how may I help you?”

  “Good Morning Samuel, this is Ryan Dane from IntelliHealth, over in the States. I was wondering if you could help locate someone to talk with about a problem we’ve identified. I’m starting with you, because I also work in the Information Services Department,” Ryan said.

  The man was an empty slate of emotion. He was so motionless, Ryan wondered for a second if he was a painting they just sat in front of the camera.

  Then words emerged, “What exactly is the issue?”

  Ryan carefully considered his words, “We have experienced an anomaly wherein patient treatments have sometimes been confirmed as inaccurate. The percentage is quite low, but we do want to be thorough. I was wondering if anyone in your facility might have noticed anything of this sort as well.”

  Without hesitating, and with only as much patience as to allow Ryan to finish, Samuel said, “You want to speak with Laura Stems in Patient Services. I will transfer you now.”

  The screen reverted to the IntelliHealth logo, while he was being transferred. Ryan wondered about Sam’s quick exchange. It was probably the simplest way to free him from the burden of this call. Cursing to himself, the screen came on again with a new face was on the screen.

  “Yes, I am Laura Stems, what do you know about our mixed-up treatments?”

  Ryan leaned back and smiled, he would need to remember to send a present to Mr. Samuel Post.

  Jim hated Mondays.

  Jim had attended the meeting with the rest of his group, earlier this morning.

  In the meeting, Mr. James had indicated that IntelliHealth research would be ramping up in a big way over the coming months. Their department needed to be ready to support them any way they could. He explained that any overtime would be rewarded with additional money, not time-off. In fact he was suspending all vacation time until further notice. The group did not understand the details of the increased workload, but the gravity of the situation was unmistakable.

  Mr. James ordered that everyone make a list of the current projects they were working on, and submit their list to David for review and prioritization.

  “Don’t be surprised if some of your projects are suspended indefinitely.”

  “Mr. James,” David asked, “Can you give us any more detail on why the sudden change?”

  “Not at this time, Dave. I understand your wanting to know. My understanding is that a company-wide statement of some sort, is being drafted.”

  Ben turned to the whole group, “Please do not worry about your job, you are needed. As usual, please contact David or myself if you find you are stuck, and need help or resources. That is all for now; thanks everyone.”

  People began sending their projects to David for review. Jim was not sure if he should include his sparring with the unknown code fragment, as a project.

  When he checked on his script this morning, he found the entry present again.

  The timestamp in the log, indicated its appearance at 6:01 AM.

  It showed up exactly one minute after his monitor script had shut down.

  His first reaction was to wonder if maybe he had simply been wrong about the most likely window to catch it. He decided to expand the window during which he would be monitoring. He adjusted the script to watch for the fragment between 6:00 PM to 8:00 AM.

  ‘I’ll get you in the morning my little friend,’ he thought.

  He decided not to list his code fragment as a project. Realistically, it was not an assigned project, nor was it a hunt yet. It was a ‘weird network thingy’, and that would be how he defined it for now.

  Then he assembled his real list of projects and sent it to David, hoping that something new and cool would come his way. He leaned over the partition wall, “Dave, the meeting this morning was pretty hardcore. Has Ben talked with you?”

  “Yes he did, afterwards. But he still wouldn’t go into any detail. I feel like something has happened, and they must believe it’s serious because they are throwing a lot of resources at it. Apparently, they are re-opening floors 210 through 230 and plan on filling them with new labs, right away.”

  David’s eyes were closed and he was rubbing his head.

  “Jim, do you have anything for a headache?”

  “Sure, hold on,” he dug through his desk, and tossed a bottle to David, “here you go.”

  “Thanks. Listen I’m going to need an assessment on total processing cycles for the Research Network by sometime this afternoon.”

  “Sure Dave, but I know we’re only around 60% currently, why?” Jim said.

  “Apparently, we need to provide additional processing power to SID.”

  Meanwhile, there was a lot of excitement upstairs.

  The labs were nearly empty, because everyone was headed to the big auditorium.

  Jeff had been asked to join a special meeting of the research faculty, and was on his way there too. Usually, these meetings were basically social events where the faculty got together, complained about the administration, and expected to have a free breakfast.

  Jeff avoided them at all cost.

  If you were not a member of the faculty, you could find yourself handing out drinks, or retrieving something forgotten in Dr. Somebody’s office.

  Not today though, today was different.

  Today a meeting of the faculty and top lab directors had been called, and he couldn’t help but feel curious. A meeting like this had not occurred in the last ten years. It was odd too because there was no subject on any materials he had seen, only a cryptic request that all IntelliHealth research faculty and necessary staff were to be in the auditorium for a meeting on this day and time.

  Beneath the request, the memo had read,

  ‘Make all necessary arrangements to attend.

  Participation by all faculty is mandatory.’

  There were several auditoriums around the building, but this was the big one. The large auditorium was at the core of the building, and was three floors deep in size, holding more than 1000 people comfortably. This was the auditorium the folks at the top used when they wanted to impress.

  The meeting would likely begin when the auditorium was full, and it was clear everyone was present. The tiers of the auditorium were white all the way around, forming a sea of lab coats. He noticed some of the faculty that had been on vacation were present; one was still wearing shorts and a flowery shirt. Apparently, the faculty were taking it very seriously.

  Then amid all the noise, the small statured Facility Director, Dr. Eric Cohen walked out and stepped up to the podium. Cohen was known to have been acting for the local Facility President who had essentially retired months ago. The rumor was that the man would simply not let go of the title. Many of the faculty liked Cohen, as did Jeff. He was a good man, and a good leader.

  “Good morning everyone, I realize many of you were traveling, I thank you for doing what was needed to be here.”

  The talking and mumbling around the room quieted down slowly, until silence finally imposed itself on all of them.

  Dr. Cohen opened a folder, and pulled out some papers to read from.

  “Some of you may know why we are here. Most of you probably do not. We at IntelliHealth lead the world in the affairs of the genetic human condition. We pride ourselves on the knowledge we have attained, and the progress we have achieved. So naturally, when a problem arises it is to us, that the world looks for answers. Ladies and gentlemen, we find ourselves now in just such a position. Make no mistake abo
ut what I am about to tell you, this will be the challenge of your lifetime.”

  He took a drink of water from a bottle at the podium, and turned a few pages in his folder.

  “As some of you already know, there has been a recent and sharp decline in birthrates around the world. A dedicated group within this body has been tracking the world census, and global birth rates. Recent numbers have been gathered that cannot be ignored. After much testing, and debate we can say with total clarity that within the last twenty years, but more acutely in the last two years, cases of human sterility have increased to a level which will impact us…as a species.”

  He said the last part as almost a whisper.

  The crowd burst into a loud raucous tantrum of scientific denial across the breadth and height of the auditorium. Dr. Cohen looked up at the tiers of scientists as they yelled back in forth. He pulled out a handkerchief, and blotted his forehead.

  “Ladies, gentlemen, colleagues, please calm down. The facts are real. The data supporting the evidence will be made available immediately following this meeting. I implore you to pause and listen.”

  Stepping away from the podium he said, “At this time, I would like to introduce the creator of IntelliHealth, and frankly the man many refer to as the Father of Modern Medicine, Dr. Sid Frances.”

  Jeff was stunned; he couldn’t believe Sid Frances was actually here. This was the man who was referred to in school as a visionary, maybe the greatest of his time.

  A huge screen on the wall behind the speaker lit up, and a giant face appeared.

  Jeff stood up, clapping almost uncontrollably.

  It was the man who had started it all.

  No one ever expected to see or hear from him like this. Looking around, everywhere it was a standing ovation, and the noise was thunderous. Jeff knew this was an occasion that he’d remember for years to come.

  Smiling on the big screen, Dr. Frances turned slightly, seemingly looking around the room.

  After a few moments he said, “Please, please stop. I have something to say.”

  The noise continued. People remained standing.

  This was unprecedented.

  After a few more moments, the giant image of Dr. Frances said, “My friends and colleagues, please stop.” Slowly the noise began to subside. People began sitting back down, and finally after everyone was seated, he began.

  “Good morning, everyone. Right now I am addressing every IntelliHealth Facility in the world… and for those of you suffering from the difference in time, I certainly apologize. I asked for this meeting because of the nature of this crisis.”

  “You are the greatest minds of our time, and it is my honor to speak with all of you.”

  There was another small round of applause.

  “After some consideration, I decided I would be the one to give you this news. News that is awesome in scope and most terrible indeed. Today my friends, we face a great challenge.”

  Silence fell again over the crowd.

  “You see, something has made us sterile.”

  “The data we have just received confirms that in the current trend, mankind will cease to exist on this planet within two generations.”

  Over a blanket of murmuring, he continued addressing them all.

  “It is up to you to solve this mystery. This problem cannot wait for our children to face it. We must act now. I am officially re-directing all of our collective scientific strength to this problem. Every lab in the IntelliHealth System will direct its people and resources to solving this mystery. Additionally, I am working with the governments of the world to ensure any resources you might need will be met.”

  “I realize the enormity of this statement. We, in cooperation with local and federal governments will release a statement to the public in due time. It will be a measured statement intended to reduce panic. You have been told first because we simply cannot wait any longer. We must begin our work now.”

  “In closing, I want to say that I have faith in you, and in this institution. I urge you to work together. I built this living, breathing collective for just such a crisis. This ‘Fertility Crisis.’ Your Facilities are the finest in the world. You have the best minds and resources anyone could ask for; make use of them. The world needs us, and we shall not fail.”

  “Thank you all, Godspeed.”

  The screen faded to black, leaving the auditorium in stunned silence.

  Dr. Cohen stepped up to the podium again.

  “I believe that’s all for now. Please watch your mail, pay attention to what’s going on around you. Do not discuss this outside this forum at this time. It will be obvious when this is public knowledge. Above all else, it is imperative that we remain calm, fully organized and cooperative.”

  “Thank you,” he said as he stepped down, and walked back to the side of the floor.

  No one moved at first, and the room remained silent.

  Everyone seemed to share a collective shock. Slowly, Jeff could begin to hear individuals talking in hushed, low voices. A few at a time, they began to stand up and make their way to the exits.

  Only two generations left.

  Jeff felt sick to his stomach.

  CHAPTER 7

  “In skating over thin ice our safety is in our speed.”

  - Ralph Waldo Emerson

  “If you are in a spaceship that is traveling at the speed of light, and you turn on the headlights, does anything happen?”

  - Steven Wright

  “Yes, I am Laura Stems, what do you know about our mixed-up treatments?”

  A woman with long dark hair was speaking to Ryan on the televid in his office.

  Ryan was pleased the way someone might be at a surprise party, wildly happy and completely speechless. He shifted in his seat, and took a drink of water.

  “Well, I understand that’s why you’ve called?” she said.

  Taking a deep breath, and smiling hugely he said, “My name is Ryan Dane, and yes that is exactly why I’ve called. Ms. Stems, may I call you Laura?”

  She nodded.

  “Laura, it has taken quite a lot to get me to you, please let me explain.”

  He began to describe the documented cases of treatment errors at his Facility. He explained that he had been hired to investigate these errors. Laura said they had experienced them as well, and at roughly the same frequency, maybe a fraction less. To date he had tried without success to compare and contrast data and procedures from both the research and hospital components. He had also begun to work heavily with information services creating new and innovative tests on the subject data.

  She listened raptly and when he paused, described what she had tried on her end. She said that they had come to believe it was happening exclusively from a specific input terminal, but when they deactivated it, the location changed, coming randomly from anywhere. It was an interesting idea that hadn’t even come up on his side.

  They talked for quite some time, trading their frustrations, when he finally got to the part of the story where he had sought approval to talk to some of the other IntelliHealth Facilities.

  “I tried that too,” she said, “but I was not allowed to approach other Facilities. However, there is nothing inappropriate with me responding to questions from another one.”

  He wasn’t sure what to do next exactly.

  “Laura, I will stay in contact with you as we move forward. Please help me to forge a communication between our facilities. I will speak with my supervisor and explain that your side has been experiencing the same issues. I hope we can create a more formal bridge between us. In the meantime, I will continue to approach other facilities, albeit informally, as well.”

  Laura smiled for the first time days, “That sounds wonderful Ryan.”

  She leaned towards the camera, “As interesting as this has been Ryan, we still need answers. Maybe someone out there has them.”

  Ryan said goodbye, punched the air and shouted, “Yeah!”

  Finally something had worked!


  He stepped out of his office and striding like a giant across the office floor, got some fresh coffee.

  Across the floor, Jim had received his new assignments, and was reading through them. His first project was to bring up the information network for floors 210 through 230.

  He would need to power up the network switches, test the data ports in the labs and offices and verify that everything was ready from Information Services for new occupants. To get started he needed to draft some of the network techs, and have them make a sweep of the floors. But that would have to wait until after he powered up the switches.

  Before he got started, he wanted to look at the Hospital Security logs to see if he finally caught his friend, the code fragment.

  Sure enough, the code was back again.

  His script failed again to catch the entry; the timestamp read 8:01 AM.

  Again it appeared exactly one minute after his script shut down. Whatever was generating this line, almost seemed to be changing its time of entry to avoid his monitor script; as if there was someone behind this.