by Parker James
“As you wish, Mr. President.”
Joe’s answers had been straightforward and the group soon departed. President Andrews was slightly disappointed that currently there wasn’t the ability to supplement any of the other bunkers and made the assumption that during the initial attack should one of the bunkers gone down and the ventilation systems were interconnected, it also opened up the possibility of radiation exposure throughout the entire 20 unit complex, putting the lives of everyone at risk. But all of the bunkers in the complex had survived and the President made the decision right then and there that all 20 bunkers would be interconnected as quickly as possible. Within moments the three arrived on Level 16 where Mitch was patiently waiting. Level 16, the beginning of what was termed “The Sanctuary.” It was named such as it would hold those designated for stasis; suspended in animation for decades on end if need be.
“Mitch, thank you for meeting us,” the President said with the schematics of Level 16 already up on his computer. Mitch had also brought his own personal computer in order to assist in the President’s inspection.
“Before we begin, may I ask how your preparations are proceeding?” the President asked Professor Conyers.
“Better than expected, Mr. President. Dr. Pearson was able to allocate a number of medical personnel from the hospital facilities in order to supplement our own ranks and they’re currently being briefed on the specific aspects of the procedure throughout all 20 bunkers. Tomorrow we’ll begin hands-on training for our supplemental medical staff and we also have 2,000 volunteers already familiar with the procedure who’ve indicated that they wish to go into stasis as soon as possible. We’ll begin with those that have already had a full medical screening to get as many people into stasis as quickly as possible. In effect, Sir, we’re ahead of schedule.”
“You and your wife have done well, Mitch. Off the record I’m sincerely contemplating food rationing in the very near future, but if all elements go according to plan that may very well become unnecessary. You have my undivided attention; please begin your tour.”
“As you wish, Sir,” Mitch replied as he looked down the main corridor. The President followed Mitch’s gaze as Joe now became an observer as the Professor took the lead. There were no walls separating Level 16, with all support structures clearly visible.
“Collectively, Mr. President, Levels 16 through 18 are considered The Sanctuary. All three Levels are solely dedicated to storage of the suspension chambers and those soon to be contained within. We thought it inappropriate that it be named anything other than The Sanctuary as it will contain the future of mankind and is simply not a storage area. All three Levels will contain citizens; souls. Although Level 19 comprises the hospital and preparation facilities as well as our laboratory and quartering, in a sense it is also considered part of The Sanctuary. Below that lies Level 20 which you are already familiar with. Levels 16 through 18 are exact duplicates of one another, designed so for the sake of consistency and ease of maintenance. Each of the following three Levels contains 15,000 fully functioning suspension chambers; 45,000 in all. In the outer rings another 50,000 chambers are intermittently stored in various Dome areas, having arrived just prior to the outbreak of the war. We have approximately 750,000 individuals in total throughout the complex and 800,000 suspension chambers. At a later date we’ll be able to fabricate repair parts as needed, but for now we have more chambers than required. Should any of the chambers malfunction we have the ability to transfer those contained within into one of the other functioning chambers without risking their lives. Any chambers found to be defective will be repaired if possible, and once deemed functional brought back on-line. If we aren’t able to salvage the any individual unit it will be used for repair parts until we’re able to manufacture them on demand in the factory facilities located in the outer ring. Although it’s not my place to say, Mr. President, going over the numbers I’m somewhat concerned that some of the other bunkers within the complex are currently overburdened.
President Andrews was well aware of that fact and had been monitoring the security situation in all 20 bunkers through Joint Chief Rodriguez’s efforts and his three times daily meetings with the Joint Chiefs and Bunker Site Commanders. Had it been a member of the military as opposed to Professor Conyers the President might have taken offense at Mitch’s statement, but Mitch was not military, he was a Professor and not completely familiar with proper protocol and simply expressing a concern on his part. For that reason alone President Andrews overlooked it and responded sympathetically. Beyond that Mitch was right.
“I agree, Professor. This is not to be repeated, but my concerns are the same. We are well aware of that fact and monitoring the situation closely. We’re confident that through multiple efforts including those of yourself, Anya, and Dr. Pearson, within short order this situation will be addressed. I thank you for your openness and extraordinary efforts to solve this part of the equation in order to ensure our future survival. Please continue.”
Mitch hadn’t picked up on the fact that he’d breached protocol and simply continued with his explanation of suspension chamber operations. The four members of the group were still standing near the elevator and had an unobstructed view of Level 16 in its entirety. It was a good place to start and allowed them the full measure of Level 16.
“As you can see, Mr. President, to both the left and right of the main corridor each section contains 7,500 suspension chamber units. The false floor underneath contains all of the electronics, very complicated indeed. This includes the monitoring systems for each and every chamber; the power supply required for their functioning and is supplemented by the back-up battery banks located on level 20 should the power generation unit ever go down. The chambers themselves are stacked three high and rest upon manual runners to minimize power consumption. This was done for periodic visual inspection of the individuals contained within. With so many people eventually to be contained within this area that procedure will be performed continuously. To the left of the main corridor you’ll find three glass enclosed monitoring stations with two staff members to be on duty at all times monitoring the proper operation of the chambers and overall health of the individuals. To the right there are another three monitoring stations, again staffed with six personnel. Of our dedicated teams charged with performing the initial procedure, once completed they’ll be reallocated to monitoring as more and more of our citizens enter into stasis. The hospital personnel will supplement our ranks as had always been the original plan. The monitoring stations are also directly connected to the battery banks so that the system never goes down.”
President Andrews was not only intrigued by the efficiency and cleanliness of Level 16 but also by the sheer intricacy of the operations.
“Professor,” he asked. “Which Level is to be utilized first once operations begin?”
“Level 18, Mr. President. Due to our earlier discussions regarding the imperativeness that operations begin as soon as possible, utilizing Level 18 due to its proximity to the preparation area and hospital facilities seemed appropriate, even if it only allows two more individuals per day to go into stasis. Every second matters.”
“Agreed,” Andrews replied as he double tapped his computer. A visual on the sub-floor appeared on his screen displaying the schematics of the electronic systems contained beneath. Each square section of removable floor was four feet in width and supported by a titanium alloy substructure. Individual panels were made of steel and weighed approximately forty pounds each with the ability to fully support the weight above it. Beneath the paneled floor lay the very intricate electronic systems that would supply power to both the chambers and monitoring stations. Professor Enghult deemed it appropriate that all units be hard wired; although wireless interconnectivity was also available should it be useful in the future.
“So basically this Level will be used last, if I understand correctly?”
“That is correct, Mr. President.”
“I’d like to see
for myself the electronics below. Based upon the sensitivity of the equipment, would it be possible for us to remove three panels of the flooring so that I can fully understand the substructure?”
“No, Mr. President, not a problem at all. This area will be utilized last once stasis operations begin, and full diagnostics will be run prior to that occurrence.”
“Very well,” Andrews replied as he turned to Joe. “Joe, would you please remove three panels from the sub-floor.”
“Yes, Mr. President,” Joe replied as he walked over to an equipment locker near the first monitoring station. He removed two manually locking suction cups that would allow him to remove the panels so that the President could see the technical aspects of the sub-structure. The group followed Joe as he proceeded to the locker.
“Any specific section of the floor, Sir?” Joe asked.
Looking at his schematics President Andrews said “yes, please remove three panels directly adjacent to monitoring station 1,” perhaps one of the most complicated sections of all as it was a junction point and contained all electronics leading to the 400 square foot monitoring station which handled 2,500 of the stasis units. Once Joe removed the three panels with a little bit of effort on his part, President Andrews was simply amazed at the intricacy of the electronics, despite the fact that all conduits were color coded and clearly marked. One conduit was coded red, reflecting that it was the primary power supply while a second was coded green and monitored each and every stasis unit and also connected to the Conyers’ lab below. The third conduit was coded black and strictly dedicated to the back-up power supply.
“Very well, Joe. I’ve seen enough,” the President said as he overrode the security system to the monitoring station and entered with Professor Conyers. It looked very similar to the power generation unit; multiple computer displays complimented by visual observation through overhead cameras dedicated to the 2,500 chambers for which it was to monitor.
“What’s the protocol, Professor?” Andrews asked.
“Continuous monitoring of the patients health as well as ongoing diagnostics ensuring proper functionality of each and every chamber, supplemented by periodic visual observation. That’s the reason why the chambers are placed on manual runners. Should any individual unit malfunction, the staff is notified immediately as are we on Level 19. A recovery crew is dispatched immediately and the hospital goes into high gear so that the individual can be assessed for overall health, and if all is well immediately placed into a properly functioning chamber. The malfunctioning chamber then goes to our recovery team for analysis and repair if possible.”
“Very well, Professor,” Andrews replied as they both exited the control room as it locked automatically behind them.
“Joe, go ahead and replace those three panels.”
“Yes, Mr. President.”
“Professor. Of the three groups going into stasis, are they segregated?” Andrews asked.
“They are, Sir. Group 1 on Level 18; Group 2 on Level 17; and Group 3 on Level 16,” Mitch replied.
“Good. Let’s you and I walk the floor Andrews said as Joe went about his task. Having replaced the panels in short order he waited at the monitoring station as Phillips accompanied the President and Professor Conyers on their walk through; aisle by aisle; section by section. With so many chambers stored on Level 16 as well as those below the area seemed almost cramped, but the chambers were most certainly accessible at a moment’s notice should one of the units require immediate removal. Everything was clearly marked and numbered, President Andrews noticing that all of the units on Level 16 were red.
“Is the color indicative of the group which the stasis chamber contains?” he asked Mitch.
“It is, Sir. Should the electronic display monitoring the health of the individual malfunction, upon arrival at the hospital facility they’ll know the patient’s entire history as it is updated continuously and the data stored in the computer banks in the monitoring station. The computer in each monitoring station transfers detailed data on the individual directly. Each unit is also numbered. The data includes the individual’s name, date placed into stasis, heart rate, metabolic rate, and a myriad of other relevant items. The chambers on Level 18, Group 1, are white. Group 2 on Level 17 are green, and Group 3 with DNA modification on Level 18 are red.”
“You’ve thought things through very well, Mitch,” the President stated matter of factly.
“Thank you, Sir, but I can’t take full credit. Anya was integral in the development of the chambers; I don’t think either of us individually could have accomplished our multi-year mission.”
“Nonetheless,” Andrews replied, “you did accomplish it, and for that I am truly grateful.”
Mitch didn’t respond with anything other than a nod of recognition.
President Andrews once again looked at his watch. The 1400 conference moderated by General McCreary would have ended by now, and not having heard from him knew that there were no critical issues requiring his immediate attention.
“Let’s take a look at the next two Levels, Mitch,” the President said as he led the group back toward the elevator. The inspection of Levels 17 and 18 went quickly. As promised the layout was exactly as that of Level 16 for the sake of continuity and simplicity. Similar to the President’s earlier need to actually see the food supplies, he also felt a burning desire to see the stasis units as well, simply to know that they were ready to go. Each and every aisle throughout all three Levels had been walked, step by step. Once satisfied that this part of the overall plan was in place he then turned to Mitch as they again approached the elevator.
“Professor, I thank you for your time, although mine runs short. We’ll skip Level 19 for today, I’d like to further review detailed aspects of your stasis procedures and do not wish to disturb your very important preparations for the implementation of suspension operations. Three days from now when you begin operations, I’ll personally be on-site to observe. Tomorrow the Joint Chiefs will be inspecting the bunker and I’ll advise them of the same; that they are not to disturb your preparations in any way, however, they’ll most certainly want to inspect Levels 16 through 18. Would that be problematic?”
“No, Mr. President, not at all,” Mitch replied.
“Very well, then. Thank you for your time, Professor.”
“My pleasure, Sir,” Mitch replied as they entered the elevator.
“Level 19,” the President said. As they reached Level 19 Mitch departed to continue with his preparations and as the doors closed President Andrews then said Level 20.” The group arrived in an instant and once exiting headed straight toward the Oval Office. Two Secret Service Agents were stationed outside of Margaret’s office as well as the elevator, the doors to the conference room, and the control room. Phillips glanced inside Margaret’s office and upon questioning his subordinates stationed himself alongside them having been informed all was secure, while Joe followed the President at Andrews' behest. Margaret was sitting at her desk interviewing another prospective candidate to assist in her duties as they arrived. As Joe had initially been nervous upon first entering Margaret’s office, so too was Angela, Margaret’s promising candidate. Angela began to rise upon seeing the President and again Andrews worked his magic, quickly putting her at ease. Joe smiled a knowing smile, having undergone the same treatment earlier in the day.
“Please, remain seated. Jason Andrews,” he said as he held out his hand to shake Angela’s in greeting.
All Angela could muster was “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. President, my name is Angela.”
“Well, Angela, I certainly hope Margaret isn’t giving you too hard a time.”
Andrews smiled as he winked at Margaret and then asked “And how have the two little ones been behaving?”
“They’ve been little darlings, Sir. We even had our lunch together before they went back to their very important studies in the Oval Office, although General McCreary did at one point have to enter through your private doorway
to the conference room and politely ask them to keep the noise level down.”
Andrews laughed.
“Oh, he did; did he?”
“Yes, Mr. President, and apparently quite effectively.”
“Well, please don’t let me disturb you. Angela, it’s been a pleasure meeting you,” he said turning to Joe. “Joe, if you wouldn’t mind accompanying me?” Andrews stated as he entered the door to his inner sanctum with Maxwell close behind. Upon seeing their father Rebecca and Marissa ran up to him, each grabbing on to one of his legs. It was Rebecca who spoke first.
“Daddy, where have you been? We’ve been waiting for you all day?”
“I’m sorry, young ladies. Daddy had some work to do. Have you been paying attention to Miss Margaret and doing as you’re told?”
“Yes, we’ve been very good.”
“I understand Mr. McCreary had to ask you to quiet down a little.”
Both Rebecca and Marissa flushed slightly as Rebecca again took the lead.
“Yes, daddy, but we were good after that.”
“Ok, then. Remember, Mr. McCreary’s work is almost as important as yours,” the President suddenly turned father said.
“We know, we’re sorry.”
“Ok, girls. I’d like you to meet my friend Mr. Maxwell.”
Joe was surprised at such a dramatic change in the President.
“Hello, Mr. Maxwell. My name is Rebecca.”
“And I’m Marissa. I’m going to be four years old.”
“Four years old!” Joe replied. My gosh, that was my favorite age. You can call me Joe if you’d like.”
“Ok, Joe,” Marissa replied. Rebecca calls me Lissa. You can call me Lissa is you want.”
“Lissa it is then.”
“Where’s mommy?” Rebecca asked her father.
“She’s working too, but she’ll be back very soon. If you two young ladies wouldn’t mind, Joe and I need to talk for a little bit. Would you go keep Miss Margaret company for a little while?”