“I hope it dies out because in 1 month; we’re going down. We’ll have to take the lifeboats and take our chances on the ground. Let’s hope it doesn’t get to that.”
“Roger that Oasis. You’ll have a tough choice, and we’re stuck here for a while. We have our lifeboats, but we don’t want to abandon the Moon until we have to. I guess we’ll be making some hard decisions; also, we’ll let you know what supplies would be the most beneficial for us.”
“Oasis, Desert Beach; SIMPOC. I’ll continue investigation systems and options on Earth and if I get any pertinent information, I’ll pass it to you.”
“SIMPOC; Oasis. Thanks, I’m signing off for a while to see what we have to deal with here. Remember Red Dirt will be coming back in a few minutes.”
“SIMPOC, Oasis; Desert Beach. We’ll monitor the freq for Red Dirt and we’ll also be figuring out our options.”
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
"Ok, what the fuck was that? Has a computer taken over SC?" Tom asked Joan with a ton of sarcasm in his voice."
"I'm not sure what that computer is. I do know SC is offline and right now SIMPOC, as it calls itself, is our only connection to Earth. Let's hope it can help us. Right now, we have other problems to worry about. Spread the word, we need to talk and make some tough decisions."
"Why didn't you tell it about the OS crew?"
"I don't know for some reason, I didn't want to say anything more than necessary. It asked about our crew and I gave it a simple answer. We don't know where this computer is, who built it and if it or its handlers might have another agenda."
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Bill sat in his command chair thinking. The situation wasn't good and it sure looked like it was getting worse. When he went to the moon, he assumed he would have support from Oasis and SC to draw upon. Now the situation on Earth had deteriorated so far, the future of the moon colony was at risk and the life of everyone in space was at risk.
Sally spoke up and asked, "We only have a computer to talk with, there is no one left in SC?"
"For now, that appears to be all we have. Let's get the entire group in a room and let them know what we're dealing with."
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Bill looked around the group of friends that were sitting in front of him. Sally was sitting to his right and everyone knew why they were there. "We have a difficult decision to make. From the information we've been getting from Earth, and Oasis, I'm sorry to say but the Hovarti Virus has decimated Earth. We can only guess how many lives have been lost. It appears the large majority of people have succumbed to the illness. I have probably lost my family and all of you are in the same situation. We've all been dealing with loss over the last couple of days."
"Regardless of the potential of losing many of our loved ones, we have a unique set of problems. We are here on the moon. We are dependent on supplies from Earth and Oasis. Now that Oasis might be returning to Earth we don't have much of a choice."
"I don't think any of us think we could stay here forever. Unless anyone objects, I think we'll be using the lifeboats and going back to Earth." Bill looked at everyone and they nodded their heads although they had sour expressions."
"After Oasis bails, remember they have only eight people left, they'll need some help on Earth and if we've already committed to going back there is no reason not to follow them down. I'm volunteering to take the first lifeboat down and the rest of you can follow. Once again, there were nods and sour faces."
"Ok, we've got a lot of work to do. We have to shut this facility down and prep the lifeboats. Any questions?"
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Bruce Madsen was taking a few minutes of rest in the Southern Pacific Defense Alliance coordination command center. The SPDA was an alliance between the Australians, Philippines, Cambodia, Malaysia, New Zealand and the United States.
The virus had run through the populated areas of the South Pacific like a herd of wild pigs in a cornfield. Some of the island nations were successful for a short period until the medical infrastructures were overwhelmed.
"Mr. Secretary we just received a printed message from Admiral Su and the Eastern Alliance."
"Just a minute, I'll be right there."
Bruce Madsen did the best he could to wake up and get his bearings. After a quick splash of water on his face, he walked into the comm center. "Ok, what do we have?"
"Sir, we just received this over the restricted comm channel. I suspect they sent it in text form because most of the voice channels are very intermittent.
"The US Secretary of Defense took the communique from the comm officer. He took a deep breath and began reading.
"The peoples of the Eastern Alliance are responsible for all of the resources and population within our designated area. Many events are overtaking the region and governments. We will continue our mission to protect them, provide for them and to resist all external efforts to influence the situation. If we find any foreign forces within our stated boundaries, they will be dealt with in a firm and decisive manner."
"Lovely," he said under his breath, that 'area' included Formosa, part of the Philippines, the oil fields off the coast of Malaysia and a handful other islands and key resources.
He turned to his chief of staff and said, "Let's try to get a message to the 7th, Nancy at state and the President. If we can't get through and get a response, we'll have to find a way to deal with this on our own."
"Yes, sir."
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Ophelia looked at her fellow Mars colony residents. They knew something was up and she had their total concentration. "Ok guys, we just had a couple of interesting transmissions from Earth. As many of you know we've been getting fewer transmissions from SC. Unfortunately, we've lost them entirely. We haven't had any contact in hours and they didn't respond to any transmissions from Oasis. I'm afraid we're alone. I hope that someone will come on line shortly and help us, but I think we need to prepare for the worst. When Oasis was trying to contact them something unusual happened. There wasn't a response from anyone at SC, but there was a response from a computer. It called itself SIMPOC and it said it is a new type computer - that thinks. I'm not sure what that means but at least for now we have 'something' to talk with on Earth. We have to wait and see how this plays out. However, on our side, there are steps we need to take. Immediately I'm suspending all mining operations. All effort will be to maintain our facilities, life support, and food sources. If we are stuck here with no SC support, then we've got maximize our chances for long-term survival
Wallace asked, "All they could talk with was a computer?"
"Apparently."
"So it sounds like everyone at the consortium is dead?"
"Could be."
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Bill took a deep breath and finished summarizing the situation. The mess room in the larger habitat was full of adventurous and intelligent astronauts. They all knew the dire situation they were in, but they also understood a challenge and immediately they began debating and coordinating what their next steps would be to maximize their survival chances. Bill was encouraged and he knew he had the best people to solve the hardest problems, but the pragmatic part of him knew the challenges they had to face.
He looked at his wife Sally and they smiled at each other. They both respected the tasks in front of them, but they both knew the chances of success.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
It was a beautify summer evening in Washington DC. The sun was just starting to set and Dmitry loved sunsets and sunrises. During those times of the day, the dirt was hidden and everything looked clean. Washington was a beautiful city and even where the city had been burned out by the riots; Dmitry felt that was the natural cleansing that needed to happen. Areas burned by fire were clean and didn't detract from the realm Dmitry was surveying.
Artur was driving the car and now that they had found a limousine, Dmitry could sit in the back and have a glass partition between him and Artur.
They could drive where they wanted and had to follow no signs or restrictions. Driving towards the Washington Memorial from the capital along Constitution Ave, he was thinking about what kind of monument he should build for himself. After all Washington was from a different era and this was the beginning of Dmitry's time. When he got to 15th NW, he told Artur to turn right. They passed the Ellipse then left on Pennsylvania. Suddenly he yelled, "Stop," and the vehicle screeched to a halt. Looking out of his right side window, he looked at the White House and he had a brilliant thought. A White House would be the best place for him to live. White is clean and clean is how he intended to build his kingdom. What better place to rule from, than the White House. He had a moment's hesitation and thought where is the US Government? They must be somewhere and if he moved into the White House, whatever remained of the government might attack him. Before he made that move, he needed to know where the government was and if they were a threat. He was strong now; maybe he could clean them up too.
"Continue," he yelled to Artur in the front seat. They continued down Pennsylvania then left on 17th Street NW and right on Constitution Ave NW. Both sides of the Reflecting Pond were lined with tents for the failed quarantine facility. Seeing them didn't effect Dmitry, because the virus didn't affect him. From his current perspective, the sun was setting behind the Lincoln Memorial so it was natural to drive around the back and look at the Potomac as the sun set. As they went around the back of the monument and parked, Dmitry was surprised to see two people creep out of the bushes beside the river.
All Dmitry had to say was, "They look dirty," and Artur knew what to do. He took out his pistol and shot them before they could get too close to the limousine. They fell to the ground dead, and Dmitry's view of the river was clean and he was happy.
Dirt was everywhere, how could Dmitry protect himself? After they left the Lincoln Memorial and drove along Independence Ave. Dmitry could see the remnants of the quarantine camp that the area had set up along the reflecting pools and Constitution Park. There was trash all over the place and hundreds of dead bodies were everywhere. Dmitry could see some of the dead were wearing protective suits. "Apparently those suites didn't protect them very well," he observed to Artur.
"Maybe they got the virus some other way and they would have died anyway," Artur commented. "Perhaps we should get some of those suites for your crew?"
"No, they aren't necessary. I am clean and others are irrelevant. You may wear a suit to protect yourself."
"Yes, Supreme Leader, Artur smiled as he used the different title for Dmitry, it will be interesting to see if he likes being called supreme leader.
Saturday 7/15/51
Date – 2051.53536 (1:45 AM)
"Oasis, SC; this is RD33A."
"RD33A, this is Oasis, SC might not respond."
"Oasis, this is Mary Silver. Something terrible has happened. The onboard computer woke me prematurely. John is very ill and I don't know what to do. Whatever is happening to him is way beyond our basic medical training. I'm scared; he isn't doing well. Please help me."
"RD33A, stand-by, Commander Herl is en route and should be here in a moment."
"Will, do. Please hurry, I can't lose John."
"I understand, Joan and Tom just came in, hold on for a second while I update her."
"Joan, they've got a problem on the Mars supply vessel. The onboard computer woke up Mary because John is very sick. She needs to talk to you."
Joan stood still for a moment and took a couple of deep breaths. "Mary, this is Joan. You're telling us John is very sick?"
"Yes he is, what do I do?"
Joan sat for a few minutes then begins reviewing John's symptoms with Mary. She did the best she could to remember all of the information she had heard from Doctor Chevesky. Unfortunately, John's symptoms sounded just like those OS210 demonstrated.
"Mary I'm having the Oasis computer talk to your onboard and mirror the med-stats for the other crewmembers. Standby while I look at them."
It took only a couple of seconds for the two computers to establish the link and begin to display the information on Joan's display. The computer showed they were under stress. The sleep induction system was working harder to keep their temperature's down and the oxygen level in their blood was down, perhaps due to congestion. In addition, it appeared their respiration rate was up to almost one per minute. Joan knew she wasn't a doctor and she was working in an area that was far from her expertise.
"Tom they've already accelerated and left the Earth's orbit. It will take a ton of fuel to bring them back to Oasis, but what will they find if they survive and make it back here? Besides, I haven't run the math yet, if they have the fuel, it might take them longer to get back here then to continue to Mars orbit."
"I agree the physics doesn't work and we have nothing better to offer."
"Mary it's very serious. Just as you left Earth and reached Oasis, a major viral pandemic was starting on Earth. When you reached Oasis, the world was just recognizing the danger. Remember, as you were leaving John didn't feel well. It appears he may have contracted the virus. This virus has been baffling the medical experts. It is not following any known patterns of infection. It is occurring in hundreds of cities and for some unknown reason, it starts spontaneously for some people then it is spread to others. Whether he caught it before leaving Earth or it possibly just started on its own, doesn't matter. I'm sorry to tell you, but so far, it has been 100% fatal. OS210 crew arrived just after you left and they all have died. Doctor Chevesky was onboard OS210 and he had the most experience, and, unfortunately, he passed away with the crew. The virus began spontaneously in one of the Oasis crew and it progressed to the point where we lost 16 other Oasis crewmembers. There are eight of us left we're trying to control it, but we don't know yet if we'll be successful."
"Is John is going to die?"
"I'm afraid so. He likely has only a short time. Mary, you also seem to be developing the same symptoms."
There were a few moments of silence, "You mean I'm going to die also?"
"It's likely, I'm sorry," said Joan.
A few more moments of silence, "Joan the med-stats show the others are under stress, does that mean they might have it too?"
"It might be, we don't have any experience with how the virus would present itself in a sleep state. But the fact the systems are showing that they're fighting something, it appears they have it also."
There was a long silence and Joan almost called Mary again, but then she responded. "It appears we all have it. I suppose the only fair thing to do is for me to wake the others up and present the situation to them. We need to make any decisions together. Unless anyone has a better suggestion, I'll start waking them up."
"Mary, we support you and the others. I'll send you some calculations I made about your orbital options, maybe it will help you decided what to do. I wish there were something I could do. Let me know what you and the others decide. In the meantime, I'll run more numbers for any possible scenarios and forward the data to your onboard computer."
"Ok Joan, RD33A out."
"Oasis out."
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
"Artur you've done a good job finding people to help us cleanse our new world. I don't want to know the dirty details of where you're finding these people, but keep it up. The more people we have, the more options we have. I'm concerned where the remnants of the US government have gone. They may be all dead or they might be hiding somewhere. We need to know where they are and what they are doing. We might need all of the people you're finding to help us clean out that last nest of the previous dirty world."
"Yes, Dmitry. Finding what remains of the government would be a prudent thing to do. We are the last power here, but they might do something trying to come back to Washington. If we know where they are then, we'll know what they are doing."
"Where do you think they may be hiding?" Dmitry asked.
"The president has that hide away in the Maryland Mountains near Thurmont Md
, they call Camp David. That might be a good place for him to hide. The good news for us is, it isn't very big and he won't be able to have a large force to protect him."
"Excellent point," Dmitry sat and thought for a few moments then he said, "Artur set up one of our human cleansing stations in Thurmont and build and army. When we're ready, I'll send up some reinforcements from here and we'll check out this Camp David and see if the president is there. Maybe we can capture him and his staff and make them pay for all of the dirt they allowed."
"Excellent suggestion..., your Highness." That was the first time Artur thought of using that title. He was curious how Dmitry would react and he hoped he would like it. Soon after saying it, he saw the smile spread on Dmitry's face. Now he knew what was necessary to manipulate Dmitry. Flattery was his drug, not reality. "I will move my crew tomorrow," was all Artur needed to say, and then they both smiled.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
The morning stand-up meeting was getting a less formal every day. The purpose of the meeting was to let everyone know what the latest news was, not to impress but to provide information.
"Mr. President, I'm afraid two of the congressmen's staff has not been heard from this morning. I've sent someone to check on them."
"Thanks, Eddy."
"Should we go back to bio suits?"
"Sir, I don't know. They stayed in their quarters yesterday, maybe we're safe. This damn thing hits so fast, I'd bet that if we're ok now, we might be ok. We should know in a little while."
"Eddy," the president said.
"Yes, sir."
"Don't cough in my direction."
The sick humor wasn't lost on either one. It wasn't a joke to laugh at, but at least one that could draw a smile.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
"Oasis, this is RD33A."
"RD33A, this is Oasis."
"Put Joan on the line, please."
"Stand by and I'll get her."
"Thanks, we're standing by."
"Joan this is the duty officer, RD33A is on freq."
"Roger, I'll be there in a second."
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