Virus-72 Hours to Live

by Ray Jay Perreault

  "Dennis, I don't have a complete answer yet. There is some kind of virus going around on Earth and one of the OS210 crew might have it. We aren't sure if you and Dennis picked it up somehow. We're putting OS210 in section A12, in quarantine, until we figure it out and right now Dr. Chevesky has most of the information. Don't be concerned, I'm just trying to keep everyone healthy and you might just have to put up with each other for a day or two until we figure it out."

  "Ok Commander, I'll tell Dennis. How could we catch something from someone on a ship that is just docking?"

  "Lloyd, I don't know. I just have some people that don't feel well and we have to figure it out. Give me a little while and I'll get back to you."

  Joan was already in the Oasis control center. She stayed in the background and watched the crews onboard Oasis and OS210 do a professional job of docking. It didn't seem anyone on OS210 was concerned about being isolated in section A12; they knew the protocols and weren't concerned about a virus. Just prior to their launch they would have been 'heads down' getting ready for the launch and wouldn't have paid much attention to Earth news.

  "OS210; Commander Herl."

  "Yes, Commander?"

  "As soon as Dr. Chevesky gets onboard have him contact me on intercom."

  "Will do."

  Once the docking was complete, the crew moved through CAT Delta to section 12. The SMUs began their jobs of moving the storage modules from OS210 to the storage areas onboard Oasis.

  After a few minutes, Joan saw a light on her personal comm-link; she knew it was Dr. Chevesky and she smiled because he was wise enough to be discrete and call on the private link.

  "This is Commander Herl," Joan said as she saw the first pictures of Doctor Chevesky. At first glance, he looked to be in his sixty's and had a great head of long hair.

  "Commander this is Dr. Chevesky. I'm sure you want an update on Bernard's condition."

  "Yes, Doctor go-ahead."

  "Apparently it started just prior to launch and he was so busy he didn't pay a lot of attention to his cough. It progressed rapidly through the launch and the first orbit. By the time, we got close to docking it had progressed until he was having difficulty breathing. At this point, I have him on O2 and, although he appears stabilized for the moment, I'm very concerned."

  "I'm afraid your concerns might be warranted. SC called me after you reported a sick crewman and they said there is a very series virus called Hovarti spreading on Earth. It is very contagious, and it is popping up in many places. They're concerned that Bernard might have it. There is a lot of concern; the virus seems to be very serious. As soon as you can, get on a secure link to the med staff at SC. Get an update from them, then check back with me and let me know what you guys come up with. Until we know what's going on we're staying with the strict contamination protocols."

  "I understand. I'll call them immediately."

  "Doc I've got one guy who feels terrible and I'm concerned about his roommate. I've asked them to remain in their quarters until you talk with them. Their names are Lloyd Davis and Dennis Wilton. Dennis is the one who is feeling bad right now. When you get your guys settled please give them a call and give your me best opinion without seeing them."

  "Yes Commander, I'll do my best."

  Joan remained motionless thinking. Her staff in the control center didn't know the details, but they knew something was up. Applying the contamination protocols wasn't unusual, but the reason was usually obvious. In this case, the lack of information concerned everyone.

  Joan could leave the rest of her staff to complete their duties so she maneuvered up rotation to where Tom was finishing. She was moving slowly up rotation and as she passed through a bulkhead, she ran into Tom, who was moving down-rotation. He was moving quickly after finishing the resupply list and was just about to say something when he saw the look on her face. Most of the crew couldn't read her emotions because she was 'wearing her command face.' Her husband could read her like a book and he immediately knew something was up.

  "You look like something is not going well; what's up?"

  "I don't know yet and I don't want any rumors spreading, so let's just leave it hanging until I get some more information."

  He knew the burden of command and he knew Joan, so the discussion stopped there. He changed the subject and commented, "The review is done and I think everyone has bought into the supply list. The SMU's have started to break apart the materials that came in on OS210 and putting them on DB438. It should be loaded by the end of shift. If you're hungry, maybe we could drop by the mess and get something?"

  She nodded and they changed direction and moved towards the mess hall. They didn't say anything en route and Tom suspected something major was up, but he didn't ask again. When they entered, the mess hall had the typical level of noise. Joan made a mental note that there were at least 10 people in there. Unfortunately, the shift change occurred while Dennis and Lloyd were there so there may have been 20 people in the mess.

  Joan sat and Tom went to the coffee pot for two cups of coffee. As he approached Joan, her personal communicator beeped and she waived Tom off indicating that she needed to take the call immediately and in private. Tom saw a friend and redirected his path to take up some time talking with him.

  Joan took a second to gain her composure and she looked at the Doctor's image as she prepared to answer. He didn't look happy, she thought.

  "Go ahead Doctor."

  "I conferred with the SC Medical Staff and particularly Doctor Kneel. I've worked with her for years and I have absolute trust in her opinion. We think we have a case of the Hovarti Virus. It appears the virus is spreading at an alarming rate around the world. The bad news is the mortality rate is bad, very bad. I've already isolated the patient further from the rest of the crew, but I'm afraid it might already be too late. We have only a couple of hours and we'll know for sure. If the patient succumbs then, it is almost definitely Hovarti. If that is the case, then we're likely to lose the rest of OS210 crew within 48-72 hours. Some of them are already coming down with symptoms. I haven't had a chance to call your patient and his roommate, but I'm concerned and I'll call them right now and let you know."

  "Commander, I'm not sure if you're aware of it, but this Hovarti virus is acting very strange. Not only is it moving around the globe like wildfire, but it is also popping up spontaneously all over. What I'm saying is, your crewmembers might come down with it even though they haven't been exposed to the OS210 crew."

  "Doc I wasn't aware of that. How can a crew member, which has been here for a long time, come down with some virus when they haven't been around anyone else?"

  "That's why everyone is so confused. A virus occurring spontaneously in multiple places is extremely unusual, and most people would say it is impossible.”

  "I don't know what to say Doc. We'll do everything we can to help. As you know, we have minimal diagnostic tools onboard. We rely a great deal on support from SC."

  "I know, but I don't have much to diagnose. We just need to wait."

  Joan was speechless; would the entire OS210 crew die onboard Oasis? What about the Oasis crew; are we all doomed too? She thought.

  >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

  "Termen, there is a growing amount of information on one subject emanating from the eastern European region,” SIMPOC announced.

  “Really?” Termen responded as he sipped his coffee and closed the status update file he was reluctantly working on. “What is the issue?”

  “There has been a 527% increase in the communications traffic regarding an unknown virus called Hovarti. This designation was chosen because the humans infected develop a Hovarti Cheese like oral discharge.”

  Causally Termen responds, “Cheese like? What is the mortality rate?”

  “The infectivity and infectiousness for this pathogen is very high; early estimates say 100%.”

  “What….?” Termen yelled as he spilled his coffee. “What are the details?

  “Apparently the WHO feels
the disease is airborne and the rate of transmission on exposure is almost 100%. It appears the incubation period is about 72 hours and the symptoms start in the last 8 hours. Coughing and sneezing are two of the symptom. The disease is spread through this coughing and sneeze discharge. Once the oral discharge becomes Hovarti like death occurs within minutes.”

  Termen was now fully engaged and asked, “Are vaccines in development?”

  “Sorry Termen, there is a significant increase in traffic. Allow me to monitor it for a moment so I can receive a complete transmission. There is a discussion about vaccines, but none have been created.”

  There was a pause for a few moments, SIMPOC commented, “Termen, possible cases have turned up in 14 other countries. Almost 100% of the infected have traveled recently. Isolation centers are being set up and governments are considering travel restrictions.”

  “SIMPOC, I’m leaving you alone for a while. I need to meet with some of the other workers in this building. When I return, please give me an update.”

  “Yes, Termen. I will monitor all traffic on the subject.”

  SIMPOC ANALYSIS

  Continental North America

  Summary – Financial markets are taking notice. There is increased political activity within subject areas. The medical information is being accessed and shared. There is a discussion of detention centers and travel restrictions.

  Continental South America

  Summary – Minimal impact with a slight increase in medical traffic. There is a discussion of detention centers and traffic restrictions.

  Continental Europe

  Summary – Tensions are building. Numerous governments are talking about travel restrictions and detention centers. There are many travelers from infected regions. Numerous islands of potentially infected are indicated.

  Continental Africa

  Summary – Little impact. Some talk of travel limitations and detention centers in major cities.

  Asian

  Summary – Region is very concerned about the spread of disease. Implementing travel restrictions and detentions centers in a few major cities.

  Eastern European

  Summary – Significant internal and external pressures rising. The high cost of infection is emerging. Isolation fears are being realized. Social unrest is growing due to fear and lack of official information.

  Southern Pacific

  Summary – Independent island philosophy is allowing multiple solutions to a regional problem. Isolation is considered a major tool to prevent the disease from spreading. Travel restrictions in place.

  Northern Pacific

  Summary – Little effect to date. Aware of problem and monitoring. Society purity is increasing actions towards isolation and travel restrictions.

  “SIMPOC, what new developments have you seen?” Termen asked on re-entry into the room.

  “Travel restrictions are being implemented in 8 minor, four moderate and two large countries. Many countries are either setting up quarantine areas or considering them. Financial markets are becoming unsettled,” SIMPOC replied, then continued, “Termen is this a threat to humans and are you worried?”

  “Yes, it can be a threat to humans and I’m a little concerned. We have a good reason for concern, but I don’t know how much of a threat this is. Please continue monitoring and give me an update this afternoon. I’ll be out of the room most of the time.”

  “Yes.”

  >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

  The pressure seal hissed as the technician entered the control room from the airlock. He was returning from a survey mission looking for regolith deposits that contain high levels of Helium-3. He had been making the same survey over different parts of the moon for the last couple of weeks and had found some areas that looked promising. Everyone knew the regolith or moon dirt, had varying amounts of Helium-3 trapped in the soil. Some areas were rich and some weren't. It always takes time to find the areas that are best for mining.

  PH.D William Thompson sat as his control panel watching the technician enter and grab a cup of coffee. He was odd, he was one of those who were great at what he did but he was difficult to talk with. Every time you tried to have a conversation with him, he would stare at your top button and never look in your eyes. Bill always laughed and thought he would put a sign on his button saying, "Please look at my eyes when we talk." However, he never did.

  Bill didn't say anything to Duane, until after he took off his environmental suit and stowed his equipment, "Duane where did Pauli and Lauren go?"

  Finally, Duane almost looked at him when he spoke, "They took some samples to the lab. Some of them looked promising, but we still have a lot of work to do."

  When he was done, he sort of glanced in Bill's direction but still avoided eye contact. Then he left the Desert Beach control room.

  Life on the moon at the Desert Beach moon colony was never dull; routine yes, hazardous yes, sometimes boring but never dull. Something was always breaking, wearing out or just not working. However, everything had to be done 'by the book' when tasks were done on the moon. There was nothing like a simple repair. Because any mistakes could be catastrophic, specific detailed steps had to be taken for the simplest repairs.

  Two years ago, the team didn't replace a fitting on the oxygen regeneration unit to its full torque value. When the line was pressurized, the connection broke and the loose end struck Lukas Whalen and propelled him almost 75 yards through the vacuum of space along with breaking three ribs. He was lucky that his suite wasn't torn. The lesson showed what happened if the procedures weren't followed.

  Just about then, Bill's train of thought was broken by his wife Sally who entered the room and asked, "Do you want some coffee?"

  ”Sure why not, my ulcer has almost healed from the last cup."

  He thought how nice it was to have his wife with him on this moon trip. Couples had been commonplace for some time. As soon as the astronauts were staying 6 months to a year on the space station or moon colony, the leaders figured out real quick that letting couples go into space together was the only way to get qualified people. It also opened up the skills available. Men and women had skills that contributed to the moon's success and allowing couples often doubled the expertise.

  For almost 20 years, the moon colony had been fully staffed. The first colonies were temporary and used for exploration. Survival on the Moon was difficult. The lack of resources and particularly water put the early colonies under tremendous stress. The current location provided adequate supplies of water. However, the water supply depended a great deal on the machinery, or miners as the mining machines were called. The miners needed to remove the top layer of regolith and then scrape to the lower levels, which had higher concentrations of water. The miners removed between 3-5 meters of the regolith at a time, separated the soil and retained the higher concentration mix of soil and ice. Like the units used on Mars, the processing didn't occur at the site but once the unit was full of ice material it picked up the scraper and drove itself back to the colony for processing. Because the moon environment was so harsh, breakdowns were frequent and it was difficult for the colonists to go to the site and repair the miners. Any offsite repair was very difficult and risky. For any number of units retrieving ice, a large percentage were always in transit to or from the site or broken down. The process made sense but in practical application, it was always a challenge to have enough units working so they could retrieve enough water.

  During the early years of the 2020's, the possibility of Fusion Reactors looked realistic. China saw an opportunity and accelerated a long-term plan to mine Helium-3 on the moon. Helium-3 was key for the second-generation Fusion reactors. It was very limited on Earth, but abundant on the Moon. H-3 was the only non-radioactive element that could provide nuclear power.

  Earth's other super powers found themselves behind in the H-3 race and jumped on the subject of moon commercialization. They quickly formed colonies. By the late 2020's, there were six moon colonies working towards c
ommercial mining of the moon.

  The colonies were in close proximity to each other because they were seeking the same resources. They were each attempting to mine Helium-3, but the moon presented so many challenges for colonization that survival was the first priority. The moon's environment lacked Nitrogen, Carbon, and Hydrogen. All of which were needed for colonization. Water was available in many locations but was in the highest concentration near the North Pole and South Pole. The H-3 was in the highest concentration near the equator, which made site selection a challenge.

  As the final compromise, the sites were placed around the Shackleton crater at the moon's South Pole. Its location and structure provided a good source of water and the rim of the crater was high enough and in the right position so it was in sunlight throughout the lunar day and the night. The constant source of solar energy provided many options that other sites didn't. Survival was the most important consideration, so the location was based on human needs more that H-3 concentration.

  International pressures increased, but efficient mining was elusive. Two of the colonies hard numerous things go wrong and if the other four colonies didn't help in the rescue, many lives would have been lost.

  In 2031, a massive meteorite shower decimated the Chinese colony along with another one and severely damaged two others. H-3 was the foundation of energy production so the international community came together and formed the Space Consortium. It was a reluctant partnership, but it held together over the years.

  The Space Consortium was given control over the first and most efficient H-3 production site. They moved the personnel to the new station and abandoned all of the equipment they didn't need. Oasis was the link in the operation, which tied the exploration on Mars with the production on the Moon.

  The moon colony was the crown jewel of the space operation. The Helium-3, which was extracted, was key to the energy production on Earth. The H-3 paid for Oasis, Desert Beach and Red Dirt with a considerable profit. The profit was distributed among the investing nations based on their contribution.