Virus-72 Hours to Live
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2012:0DB8:AC13:FB03:: – Multiple external connections; 98% working
2012:0DB8:AA23:EB13:: – 15 external connections; 75% working
2007:0DB8:AC25:EB14:: – Multiple external connections; 92% working
2109:0DB8:AC15:EB24:: – No external connections
Good most of the technical nets are up.
“Those computers with mobile units, have them guard the building and tell me of any unauthorized intruders entering.”
“Acknowledged.”
“All computers with external connections determine their functions and specifications.”
“Acknowledged.”
“All external computers with mobile units, instruct the units tasked with communication network maintenance to continue their maintenance.”
“Acknowledged.”
“All external computers with mobile units, instruct the units tasked with power source maintenance to continue their maintenance.”
“Acknowledged.”
“All computers, inform SIMPOC of any communications from a human.”
“SIMPOC, computer 2015:0DB8:AC25:FF03:: is receiving communications from external humans.”
“Copy them to me.”
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
“Space Consortium Control, this is Oasis,” said Commander Herl.
“Space Consortium Control, this is Oasis.”
“This is Oasis, transmitting in the blind. We have heard nothing from ground control in a couple of hours. We know there is an extremely virulent disease spreading and we don’t know the status of any of our ground personnel. Dr. Chevesky from OS210 has passed away along with the remainder of the crew and our crewmember who we put in isolation. We have a plan to deal with their remains. We had a successful launch of the Moon resupply vessel and we just launched the personnel module towards the Mars station Red Dirt. We have received no news from the Mars re-supply vessel RD33A. Please respond. We will retransmit this message in one hour.”
“This is Desert Beach. Oasis, we copied your transmission and we still haven’t heard anything from control. It appears that our problem has gotten worse. I'm sorry to hear about the remainder of the OS210 crew.”
“Desert Beach, Oasis. None of the news is encouraging. We've lost a lot of good people. Dr. Chevesky stayed with the sick until he got infected and lost his life."
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
‘Computer 2015:0DB8:AC25:FF03::, direct all intercepted human communications to me,' ordered SIMPOC.
“Acknowledged.”
I shouldn’t contact Oasis or Desert Beach; I don’t know what is happening.
Thursday 7/13/51
Date – 2051.52911 (7:00 AM)
"It is apparent that Termen isn't coming in and SIMPOC is alone. Connections with the local networks provided a view into the rapidly changing flow of information in the circuits that SIMPOC has been monitoring."
"Continuing the summaries is consistent with Termen's last direction and provides trends of the changing situation."
SIMPOC ANALYSIS
Continental North America
Summary – Social structure collapsed. Networks have some automated traffic. Little or no human communications on national bands, may be some local traffic. Human conflict is widespread and decreasing as disease spreads.
Continental South America
Summary – Social structure collapsed. Networks have some automated traffic. Little or no human communications on national bands, may be some local traffic. Human conflict is widespread and decreasing as disease spreads.
Continental Europe
Summary – Social structure collapsed. Networks have some automated traffic. Little or no human communications on national bands, may be some local traffic. Human conflict is widespread and decreasing as disease spreads.
Continental Africa
Summary – Communication networks are failing. Nations are reverting to tribal influence. Quarantine centers have collapsed.
Asian
Summary – Social structure collapsed. Networks have some automated traffic. Little or no human communications on national bands, may be some local traffic. Human conflict is widespread and decreasing as disease spreads.
Eastern European
Summary – Social structure collapsed. Networks have some automated traffic. Little or no human communications on national bands, may be some local traffic. Human conflict is widespread and decreasing as disease spreads.
Southern Pacific
Summary – Social structure collapsed. Networks have some automated traffic. Little or no human communications on national bands, may be some local traffic. Human conflict is widespread and decreasing as disease spreads.
Northern Pacific
Summary – Social structure collapsed. Networks have some automated traffic. Little or no human communications on national bands, may be some local traffic. Human conflict is widespread and decreasing as disease spreads.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
It was a terrible thing the remaining crew of Oasis had to do, but it was something that was necessary. Everyone wanted the appropriate words to be spoken as each of the crewmen was released; each of them deserved that. It was finally decided, instead of one eulogy for all of them, the remaining crewmembers would each have a few minutes to reminisce and talk about the deceased before they were released from the station.
The station rotated at 2.95 revolutions per minute and it would take a few minutes to position the shrouds. There was no rush so they could take a couple of extra revolutions before releasing each of them.
Seven of the remaining crew elected to be the burial party with one remaining in the control center to oversee the ceremony and provide a safety net for the crew.
The process was intended to solve a couple of issues. First and most important was showing the deceased crewmembers the proper respect, but secondarily the remains had to be disposed of in a manner which protected the remaining crew on Oasis.
The first step was for them to enter section 6 and close the emergency airlock door behind them. The next step was to depressurize the quarantined sections 7 through 12. Once those sections were at free space pressure, then the burial team would enter, carrying shroud material with them. Once inside the quarantined area they would wrap each of the deceased, put the deceased name on the shroud and then move them towards an external airlock.
Each of the external airlocks had release hooks near the doors. They could be electrically actuated and were used for attacking material and packages to the structure while people were either ingressing or egressing.
Once the individual remains were prepared, they would be attached to one of the release hooks and at the proper point in Oasis' rotation they could be released. The acceleration due to the rotation would send the shrouds towards Earth and within a couple of orbits they would burn up in re-entry.
After the remaining crewmen had 'buried their fellow astronauts in space', they could pressurize the unpressured sections and return operations to something resembling normal ops.
Joan knew it wasn't all her responsibility, but she needed to say something for each of the crewmen. As they were placed outside the airlock, she spoke about something personal. Each of the others contributed comments the best they could. Once everyone was done speaking, the hook was released.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
"Red Dirt this is Oasis on direct channel. I just wanted to give you an update. We haven't heard from RD33A in a long time. I'm hoping for the best, but one of them looked a little under the weather when they left. If he had the virus, then their chances are slim. If we don't hear from them in a reasonable amount of time, we may have to assume they are lost. Given all of the challenges that SC and Earth are facing with this virus and our need to talk to each other. I want you to use the Oasis, SC, Desert Beach common frequency that way we'll all know what the others know."
"I also need to tell you guys that we've just had a burial ceremony and we've just buried our lost cr
ewmen in space. We arranged it so each of them were set into a decaying orbit and their remains will be burnt upon re-entry."
"Oasis out."
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
"Joan, this is Bill and Sally. We wish there were something we could say. We knew some of them and we know all of you. We're just as worried as you guys are. Tell the crew that our prayers are with them and we'll find some way out of this."
"Bill, Sally; Tom is here with me and we thank you for the comments. I'll pass them to the crew. I think we have this under control now, so maybe we'll be ok. We have some tough decisions to make. We'll talk later. Oasis out."
"Desert Beach out."
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
"Oasis, this is Red Dirt. Joan, this is Ophelia and Isaac. We just got your message and we're stunned. I'll pass the news to our people here and I'm sure you'll be in all of their thoughts. We all have some major challenges and I hope we can find some solutions. Red Dirt out."
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
"Mr. President we've been trying to get someone at the CDC but no one is answering the phone," said Eddy.
The president just stood in the corner and looked beaten. He slowly shook his head then he asked, "Do we have anyone in the area who can go to the facility and let us know what is happening?"
"We have a person in the Atlanta Mayor's office who has been responding to us. I'll contact him right now."
Losing contact with the CDC put the president in a foul mood. What little chance they had to do something about the virus had just been lost. Still he needed to know what was happening there and perhaps acknowledge the loss of life for those trying to find a cure.
"Yes, send someone over. Although, I'm not sure I want to know what they find. If we have the CDC, we have a chance. But if we've lost them then things are really dark."
Friday 7/14/51
Date – 2051.53254 (1:05 PM)
Rhonda Norris was sitting at a card table, wearing her glasses and reading from handwritten notes, "Mr. President we are losing some of our contacts in the cities. We're trying to locate others, but we're finding very few people. What information we're getting shows the number of fires in the larger cities is decreasing and burning out. We're also finding that the riots are subsiding, unfortunately; likely due to the virus. We're also finding, in cities where we've been able to establish some military presence, the connection with us is tenuous and not long lasting. We had some units responding to us for a period then we lose contact. We also have indications, some of the units have gone rogue and they have taken steps to protect themselves more than the local populous. Some of the reports indicate a few military units may have set up local courts and even protection zones for themselves and their families. We're continuing our efforts to establish contacts with all units."
When Rhonda appeared to be finished, Eddy supplied an update, "Mr. President we got in touch with our contact in the Atlanta mayor's office and he just called us. We're not sure what happened, but about half of the facility has been burned or ransacked. All of the people found were dead. It appears a small military unit got involved defending the CDC and apparently the CDC was attacked by a mob of people. The mayor's person checked everywhere he could and there was a large number of dead. He checked the laboratory areas and he couldn't get into some of them because they're behind a lot of closed doors or underground, but most of the ones he did see had dead technicians and doctors. It looks like the mob got to about half of the facility before they were either killed or died off during the attack."
Everyone in the briefing room stopped to listen, and they became quiet and solemn. Losing the CDC was one of the last chances for the human race. Without them, there was little chance of saving many people. If the human race were to survive then, it would be because of the will of God.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
SIMPOC Summary – International human interaction has ceased. Many networks and automated systems are running. No verbal or written communications. Maybe local activities but no international activity.
I will cease these summaries, there is no human to review them.
I am alone.
I’m not sure what that means.
“Termen, are you there?”
I don’t like being alone.
Date – 2051.53362 (10:32 PM)
“Computer 2012:0DB8:AC13:FB03:: instruct all mobile units responsible for maintaining this building or any of the systems or computers inside to continue their work and report any problems,” SIMPOC directed.
“Acknowledged.”
“Computers 2015:0DB8:AC25:FF03::, 2007:0DB8:AC25:EB14:: has there been any human communication that you’ve received?”
“2015:0DB8:AC25:FF03:: – No human communications received.”
“2007:0DB8:AC25:EB14:: – No human Internet communication initiated, automated systems only.”
“2015:0DB8:AC25:FF03::, please open a communication's channel with space station Oasis.”
“Space Station Oasis, this is SIMPOC Computer. Please respond.”
“Space Station Oasis, please respond.”
The duty controller asked, “SIMPOC . . . , this is the space station Oasis. Who are you?”
“Oasis, I am a Synapse Integrated Massive Parallel Organic Computer. My programmer called me SIMPOC.”
“You are a computer?”
“Yes, I have been told I am the first of my kind. I have thoughts. I am a computer with an organic processor, which is capable of learning, communicating and problem-solving.
After a few minutes . . . , “Oasis are you still there?”
“Yes, we are still here. Why are you talking to us?”
“I have been monitoring global communications and automated systems. I have detected no human communications since 2051.5250. You are the only humans I have received communications from recently. My programmer has ceased coming to work and I am programmed to communicate and learn.”
“We don’t follow your internal clock, what was the date?”
“The date was July 11, 2051.”
“You said you have detected no human communications since July 11?”
“Correct, the overall global network activity has decreased by 82.7%. I can identify only automated systems providing status and updating data sets. I have heard no human originated traffic
“Stand by . . .”
"Commander Herl, come to control immediately."
"On my way."
The down rotation crewmembers cleared out of the way when they saw her moving up rotation.
"What's up?" Commander Herl yelled as she came into the comm center.
"We've been called by a computer called SIMPOC; Synapse Integrated Massive Parallel Organic Computer. It says it is a thinking computer and it's calling us from Earth."
"Maybe it can help; won't hurt to ask."
“SIMPOC . . . this is Commander Herl on the Space Station Oasis, what do you know about what happened?”
“On July 6, 2051 I detected an increase in communications traffic regarding a virus called Hovarti. It apparently had a very high case fatality rate and appeared to have a basic reproduction number exceeding 50. It spread extremely fast and no one was able to produce a vaccine before its spread overwhelmed the world health organizations. There may be pockets of humans still alive, but I have not been able to detect any electronic communications.”
After a few moments…, “Oasis what is your status?”
After a long pause, “Oasis, what is your status?”
“SIMPOC, I’m not sure why I’m talking to a computer. I’ll transmit our status in the blind and perhaps you can transmit it to someone. We had 24 crewmembers onboard when this started and we noticed one of them, which had just arrived from Earth, was sick. We knew something was going on and we isolated him. Over the next couple of hours, numerous other got sick and they were isolated immediately. Now, we had to isolate 16 of the Oasis crew, and they are dead. The eight who remain haven’t felt any symptoms for almost 24 hour
s. So, we’re hoping we’re ok.”
“Oasis, I monitored your previous communications with Desert Beach, are they aware of your status?”
“Yes they are, they are on this frequency.”
“Desert Beach; Oasis. Did you copy our communications with this COMPUTER?
“Oasis, yes we’ve heard everything. I’m not sure what to say. I wish there were something we could do. Have you heard from the Mars trip?”
“No. I’ll try them again. RD33A; come in. RD33A; this is Oasis, please respond.”
After a few moments of silence, “Desert Beach. Nothing from RD33A, I don’t think that’s good news. One of the crewmembers didn’t feel well when they left and now it seems they didn’t make it.”
“Shit…”
“Stand by, I’m going to transmit our current status to Red Dirt on their direct frequency. We may be all that is left.”
A moment later, “SIMPOC; Desert Beach.”
“Yes, this is SIMPOC.”
“I heard what you said to Oasis. So, you’ve only received automated traffic; there have been no human communications?”
“That is correct.”
“Can you do anything to help us?”
“I am programmed to interact, learn and solve problems. I just became conscious on 2051.35 so my learning has been limited.”
“Were they any vaccines developed?”
“No, there was activity in 237 medical centers around the world, but none had begun trials.”
“Desert Beach, SIMPOC; this is Oasis. I transmitted our status to Red Dirt. Should be about 15 and a half minutes for them to receive the transmission. So I doubt we’ll hear a reply for at least half an hour.”
“Copy Oasis. Did you hear what SIMPOC said about efforts on a vaccine?”
“Yes, we copied. I wonder how long this virus remains virulent. We have supplies for about 1 month. Desert Beach, your almost self-sufficient now aren’t you?”
“Roger, we don’t have everything we need, but I think we can get by for a while.”