by Boris Licina
She was, one could say, a classic TV reporter. Her blue eyes made her beautiful, dark face even more beautiful, her brown, wavy hair also helped. If the situation had been normal, somebody from Atlanta would have been reporting news from CDC, but the outbreak also decimated people from their network. For Amanda, this was the opportunity of a lifetime! The network decided to move her to Atlanta to finish the story because so many people were sick or dead. The camera was pointed at the huge, blue CDC sign with the recognizable logo. Amanda stood right in front of it.
"CDC adamantly claims that they are taking all measures to control this outbreak", Amanda continued. "As we heard yesterday, a partial quarantine in air traffic is in place from today, so only domestic traffic is operational. According to the CDC's advice, the other countries also minimized their air travel and recommend their citizens to cancel their plans. All schools have been closed since yesterday. And we're back at the studio."
Amanda put down the microphone and sighed. She was not happy. Just repeating what everybody already knew. She needed someone who knew what was really happening. Or a dramatic event! Her career was like a Hallmark film scenario. She grew up in Marietta, Georgia, a small town with only fifty thousand inhabitants. As a kid she already held a mike in front of her face, and since she had no talent for singing, she decided to into television. She wanted it so much, that she was already assisting as an intern at the local TV station when she was fifteen. And learned a lot. She had an actual mentor, Mr. Howard, an old TV wolf, in the business for fifty years already. He liked Amanda. Nobody that enthusiastic came to work to their TV station. And she admitted it to herself many times - Howard helped her get a job at the local station after she had worked and studied at the Syracuse University at the same time. That job later landed her the New York gig.
Rachel Ray stood in the conference room on one of the higher floors of CDC, watching the TV reporter speaking to the camera. This was a one-man-band show. The reported probably worked for a big TV company and her cameraman got sick, perhaps she was a blogger chasing her five minutes of fame. With Rachel in the room there were some of the most important people of that institution. Rachel's thoughts raced, she was only half listening to the heated arguments around her. The number of casualties rose to seven million only in the US, and the new flu strain was unstoppable. Every CDC laboratory was searching for the solution. They had brought in the best and the greatest world experts, but the answer was still not in sight. The only novelty was the name - Snow Flu. Why snow? Because it was rolling like a snowball, becoming bigger and more dangerous! Still, the conference room was no place for frustration or animosity. Everybody had the same goal. Only the methods varied.
Rachel decided to meet the reporter. She took the elevator to the ground floor, put her jacket around her shoulders and walked towards her. She liked the fresh air. The reporter obviously did not, she seemed frustrated.
"You don't like winter or your job?", Rachel asked nodding. Because of the flu, nobody shook hands anymore.
"At the moment, neither", Amanda said putting the camera away in her knapsack and folding the camera stand. It also fit the bag. Amanda liked not to have things in her hands.
"I'm Rachel Ray, CDC."
"Amanda Barns, pleased to meet you."
"Who do you work for?"
"For the largest TV network in America and no cameraman."
"Oh", Rachel smiled, "luckily you know how to operate one."
"Well, I'm resourceful", Amanda smiled a little. "Rachel, if you're not bringing me some large and big information, I'd really have to go."
"Maybe I am", Rachel said. "Would you like some coffee?"
"Sure!"
15.
"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday, dear Oliver, haaaapy birthday to you!", Mom and Dad sang his birthday song as soon as they woke up.
"Yeah, thank you, thank you!"
"Going to breakfast?"
"No, I have an engagement", Oliver replied and rushed out of the room.
"Wow", Ben commented briefly, but Oliver was already gone.
He was happy and content! His eighteenth birthday, that's something. But, that was not the reason for his happiness. Eli was. They agreed to meet at breakfast and spend a day together. She was waiting for him in front of the hotel restaurant. It was large and not at all hotel-like. Wooden colors, occasionally wood imitations, so everything seemed warm and natural. Luckily, the chairs and tables were not made of wood. Their design followed the design of the seemingly rounded corridors. Guests always have some expectations from the hotel, in this case to remind them of the space ships they had watched in films and TV shows. That was the reason the designers and architects looked to Star Trek for inspiration.
"Happy birthday!", Eli congratulated Oliver and kissed him in both cheeks.
"Thanks", he blushed a little.
"Are you hungry?"
"Not really. You?"
"Me, neither!"
"Let's go, then", she smiled mysteriously.
"Where to?"
"To your first birthday surprise!"
They exited the central space and reached the ring, or the popular promenade. There was an occasional walker there in the "early" hours, but not enough to kill the romance that Oliver felt. When they reached the end of the promenade, a large door appeared in front of them. Only the window on the door showed them what was happening behind.
"Hmm, a door", said Oliver with a smile.
"Patience, please", Eli scolded him and rang the bell.
The door was opened by the biologist Rose Verdolac. Behind, beyond the thick glass walls, there was the farm
"Come in", Rose said. "Welcome to the space farm!"
"Wow, thank you", Oliver said and threw Eli a happy glance.
Eli just nodded towards Rose.
"Today, I will show you the farm and everything that we grow here, as well as the process. Only, before that, please put on these protective suits, we want to protect the plants from unwanted influences."
The suits looked like single-use raincoats. All in one piece and practical. And mandatory for all except Rose and Cody. Realistically, nothing dangerous could happen, but Rose did not want to risk the plants.
"This is your first birthday present", Eli winked at him, smiling. "The space farm. For a geek like you, this must be super fun."
"This should be super fun for everybody!", Oliver pretended to be angry.
Rose lead them carefully through the farm, explaining everything on the go, the software, the regulations, robot farmers and details on all fruits and vegetables growing there. The tour lasted some forty minutes and meant the world for Oliver! Still, that was just the beginning.
"OK, let's go on", said Rose.
"Where to?", Oliver asked.
"Surprise", Eli winked at him again. She really enjoyed his happiness. There was something attractive in him, but she still could out figure out what.
They passed through a huge food storage next to the farm and to the other door. Rose typed in the code and opened it. Again they were in the ring, only on the other side. This was the part of the hotel where guests were not allowed. On the other side of the door, Jeff, the head of extra hotel activities, was waiting for them.
"Hello and welcome", he said.
"Hello", Oliver greeted him.
"I am leaving you in good hands", Rose said and went back to the farm.
"Follow me", Jeff smiled smugly.
After they had walked for a while, passed the passageway to the inner center used only by employees, they reached a new door. Jeff opened them. There was the huge docking station with the hotel's shuttle.
"Oh, oh", Oliver shouted. "The best birthday ever!"
16.
John Golt looked worriedly at Ava from the big screen in the conference room. They were alone.
"The situation is not great", John said, picking something from the sleeve of his suit. In the background and through the large glass window, tall skyscrapers and b
uildings were barely visible. The weather was partially cloudy, the rain had just stopped. The sky was clearing.
"What are the last projections?", Ava asked.
"As I said, not good. Over seven million people died in the last two days. It seems that CDC's estimate might be correct. Millions of deaths, the question is only how much. For all our destinations on Earth this is already a catastrophe. People simply decide not to travel at times like these. The number of bookings for Rene 9 has, naturally, risen, because people think they'd be safer in space."
"Or that the end is nigh and want the best", Ava added.
"That's right. That's why we'll go public tomorrow with the information of the new hotels in space. Our stock is still stable, but if the Snow Flu continues, they are bound to plummet. Those new space hotels are meant to prevent that."
"Well, at least some good news", Ava sighed.
"Yes. Good news is also that no guests on the next set cancelled. It is weird, but they all passed their medicals and nobody is sick. In two days you will say goodbye to your first shift of guests and welcome the new ones. And doctor Ravi, who we pulled from one of our resorts in the Caribbean. He's very nice, calm and outspoken. I think you'll like him. Of course, the main thing is that he's a good doctor so he'll help you pacify the people on the station to avoid any potential problems."
"Excellent", Ava clapped her hands. "That's what I like to hear."
"What's the situation at your end?", John asked while he was pouring some water into his glass.
"Better than I expected. On the first day when the news on the epidemic broke out, we gave the guests a free day in the zero-gravity chamber …"
"Smart."
"… and actually, nobody panicked. If at all, then in some micro level. We upped the entertainment program and the evening selection in the restaurant, which was warmly welcomed. Honestly, I thought we would have chaos, but it's fine."
"Great, great. The last thing we need right now is a negative PR from any of the hotels, least of all from Rene 9. I know you don't have it easy, you arrived and a serious crisis a few days later. I mean, look, none of us went through any of that. This is the first dangerous epidemic since who knows when. So that … just take a step by step approach and don't panic. The world has some very clever people, they'll find the solution and everything will be back to normal. Until then, we have to hold on. What is extremely important is guest entertainment, to draw their attention away from the problems on Earth. In the end, that's why they came."
"I hear you. Jeff is already on the plan of activities, and we included a trip to the farm the day before yesterday, as well as the hotel shuttle."
"Great idea, good thinking, Ava!"
"Actually, a young girl came to me and asked for a birthday present for a friend who likes space. She suggested the farm and the shuttle."
"And you were smart to accept the idea", John commended her. "Especially in this situation."
17.
Jessica and John sat in the cabin of the Falcon checking and checking everything before the flight. They still had a few hours, but details were important. Check everything twice. Once by Jessica and John, later once more with the control center at Kennedy where they were landing. There was no room for error, just like in "normal" planes on Earth. The Falcon itself was parked next to the outer ring, moored both by its prow and stern where the two entrances were situated. The scene was fantastic. So good in fact, that the Company often sent this image of the moored Falcon with the official announcements. The image signified humanity's progress and a step closer to what mankind had desired for ages! At least that was the official PR. Beside Jessica and John, the cabin crew were also preparing for their return to Earth. Although there were no greater differences than in the planes, the selection was much richer in the Falcon. More movies, more shows, a huge number of video games and a wide variety of meals.
On the day of the departure the kitchen was always crowded. They had to prepare lunch for all guests and several meals to be served on the ship. Since early dawn, Cody was running around the kitchen, managing, arranging, shouting only rarely like the chefs in the movies. When he needed several minutes of peace, he took some vegetables and chopped. Therein he always found his zen. He really wanted to make this last lunch spectacular and that the meals were one of the first things the quests would remember upon departure. Most of the chefs did not like their food photographed and shared, Cody considered this a sign of appraisal. The meals on the Falcon were tasty and of a good quality, but as they were done routinely, no special attention was required. Only good organization and preparation.
◆◆◆
"Honestly", said Eli to Oliver while they were strolling the ring, "I've had a better time than I expected! I admit, if there weren't for you, I'd be bored twice as much."
"Thanks", Oliver blushed a little. "I had a great time, too. I'm sorry it's over. This was really the best birthday of all! And they let us tour the shuttle!"
"Well, when you're connected …"
"Seriously, how did you manage this? I know the standard offer doesn't include this, because I read it a million times."
"Sometimes you really are naïve", she laughed at him. "I went to the hotel's manager and asked if we could take a peek for your birthday. She liked the idea and they included it in the offer."
"There, maybe you're the next manager", now he was laughing at her. "With such great ideas of yours!"
"No way, Earth is my element."
They stood in front of the huge window with a view to Earth.
"Hey", Oliver said looking down, "do you think we could see each other down there? I really had a great time with you. Time flew by so quickly!"
"I'm sure we'll find a way sometimes", Eli was also looking at Earth, "when I return from New Zealand. But, enough of that", she looked at him, "let's go to the telescope room for the last time!"
"Fine! But, it'd be crowded …"
"I booked us some slots", she said and nodded at her to follow her.
◆◆◆
People were slowly filling up the Falcon, although it was still several hours before their departure. Unlike planes on Earth, this ship was boarded much earlier. Josh sat by the window, but was not looking through it. He was thinking about a shelter. He liked post apocalyptic scenarios and often thought about potentially dangerous situations. His list of favorite movies reflected that, too - the post apocalypse from all eras of human history. He loved them all, but frequently turned to those from the 1970s. This shelter should not be large - enough for Eli, Eva and him. And full of supplies. Should the epidemic last a year, he calculated, how much food and water would they need with no trips outside? He decided to calculate this through during the flight, to pass the time. And in case this should ever be necessary, Josh would immediately know what they need. Nevertheless, not even remotely did he believe they would ever need a shelter and he trusted this outbreak would not seriously endanger them. But, such thoughts amused him.
"This will be one of the toughest journalist's tasks", Ben was saying to Lika and Oliver sitting a few seats away.
"And surely one of the most dangerous", Lika added. "We'll both have to be careful."
"You already got yours? Where are you going?", Oliver asked.
"Yes, we talked to our editors yesterday. There's a lot of sick people in our country", his mother said. "Dad's going to Atlanta, I'll tour the East Coast, later inland. We'll do a series of articles from big cities."
"The CDC central is in Atlanta", Oliver's dad leaned slightly over mom. "They are the most important institution for diseases. They manage the situation and decide how to control and fight the outbreak."
"And, of course", Lika added, "they are looking for the vaccine in their labs to deal with any disease."
"Modern technology", Ben said. "All these supercomputers we have should resolve that soon."
"Kennedy control, Kennedy control, this is Falcon Enterprise from Rene 9. We're ready for the second checklist
", Jessica sad into the small overhead mike.
Falcon was boarded and ready for flight. The passengers, luggage and the rest of the cargo for Earth were all secure, only the meals had to be loaded yet. Cody always waited for the last moment, and it was logical that food came last. There was no need for refueling because Falcon carried enough for the return trip. In special cases, hotel fuel for maneuvering could be used, but there had never been a need for this.
"Kennedy control, Kennedy control, this is Falcon Enterprise from Rene 9. We're ready for the second checklist", Jessica repeated. She looked at John.
"They're sleeping", he said and winked.
"Falcon Enterprise … cough! Cough!", somebody from control was heavily coughing. "This is Kennedy Space Center. Currently you're lined up, please hold. Cough! Cough!"
"Roger that, Kennedy, we wait", Jessica responded.
"What will the weather be like on entry?", she asked John.
"Sunny, no clouds, the best for takeoff and landing", he concluded.
"True", Jessica agreed and looked away.
The cabin crew walked between the seats offering refreshments to the passengers. Additional check-ups always lasted long and the passengers needed something to do. Not much though, because the space hotel was such an event that nobody ever ran out of conversation. Most of the passengers were retelling their experiences from the hotel and already reminiscenced the best parts.
"Falcon Enterprise, Falcon Enterprise, come in", another, obviously healthier voice broke the silence, "this is Kennedy Space Center."
"Kennedy, this is Falcon Enterprise, we hear you. May we begin the pre-flight check?", Jessica asked.
"Jessica, this is Gene Kolanz.", Gene was the head of the Kennedy Space Center. The one time that Jessica met him, they talked for several minutes.
"Good day, Gene."
"Jessica", she knew it was not good since he had said her name twice already, "unfortunately, we cannot check you up. CDC has just expanded the quarantine. All flights are grounded, international and domestic. We have no idea for how long, but you have nowhere to land. Other countries follow our lead."