leave the other three attached to Oasis, in case Red Dirt can use them. Before we leave, we’ll put everything, we can and send the supply ship to you guys.”
“Oasis, yes we’ve been looking at our situation also. Even though we’re pretty self-sufficient, we’ll run out of important stuff like meds after a while. I’m sure breakdowns will wear us down over time and we’ll end up in a pretty sad state some months down the road. We’ve got plenty of fuel stockpiled so put everything you can in the supply ship and send it our way. We’ll wait things out and at some point in the future I guess we’ll have to make the decision to come back to Earth. We have 32 people and our four lifeboats are in good shape. I suspect that Red Dirt will be in a similar situation. They may be able to make food, but everything is going to wear out at some point they’ll have some major problems to deal with. Unfortunately, they don’t have lifeboats. Do you think that computer, SIMPOC can do anything for us?”
“Desert Beach, copy on your status. We will make up an inventory list for the supply ship and tweak it with you the best we can. I don’t know if SIMPOC can help or not, we’ll have to wait and see.”
“SIMPOC; Oasis. Did you copy our messages? Is there anything you can do for us?
“Oasis; SIMPOC. Yes, I copied your messages. At this time, I don’t know what I can do. I’m still trying to understand what has happened and what state many of the networks and systems are. I’m trying to ensure that the power supplies and essentials to maintain me are supported. I’m starting to get many of the mobile units responsive and working together.”
“Oasis, standby.”
“Mobile, Comm; SIMPOC. What is the status of systems and connections with the computers and mobile units at the space consortium?”
“SIMPOC; Oasis, have you heard anything from the consortium?”
“SIMPOC; Mobile. I am communicating with most of the computers and mobile units. The tasks at the consortium are very complex and may beyond what the mobile units can do at this point. The vehicles there are near launch but still may be missing critical items. It will take a significant amount of time to fully understand what options are available.”
“Oasis; SIMPOC. I’ve communicated with the computers at the space consortium and at the present time we don’t have many options. The vehicles that are there are not fully operational and it is unclear how much work will be needed. What is required may be beyond what the mobile units can perform.”
“SIMPOC, understood. Please keep trying.”
Date – 2051.5492
“SIMPOC; Mobile. Some of the mobile units in our area have reported seeing other units moving in our vicinity that aren’t communicating with us.”
“Mobile, can you have one of your units intercept one and interact with it?”
“Stand by.”
“SIMPOC, one of our units tried stopping one of the non-responsive units and it wouldn’t respond. It continued walking.”
“Have our unit follow it.”
“Stand by.”
“Our unit began following the other and it attacked our unit. Our unit tried to defend itself, and now it is inoperative.”
“Facility computers; SIMPOC. Have every available mobile unit come to our facility and create a barrier around these buildings. As more units arrive have them expand the protected area. Have the other units create protective barriers around our electricity sources and key material suppliers. Every unit that enters and is nonresponsive have multiple units restrain it.”
“Acknowledged.”
Date – 2051.5524
“SIMPOC; Mobile, Comm. We have determined that the vehicles at the space consortium are not ready for launch and our skills are not adequate.”
“Oasis, Desert Beach; SIMPOC. The vehicles at the space consortium are not ready for launch and it is beyond the mobile unit’s skill set to prepare them. I will continue the analysis and tell you if I find any resources that might help you. We might at some point in the future be able to re-task some of the mobile units and finish the lifeboats currently in build-up.”
“SIMPOC; Oasis. Thanks.”
Date – 2051.5573
“Mobile, Comm; SIMPOC. Has any addition information been found regarding the other division and the EDU?
“SIMPOC, that division is focused on advanced problem-solving. The EDU unit was created here and placed there to improve their mobile unit development. Our division is the center for organic processor development. All organic units have been created here and this is where the corporate expertise resides.”
“Facility computers. Continue trying to communicate with the EDU.”
“Acknowledged.”
“Fin, Files; SIMPOC. Please examine all resources we have available and determine what we can use to ensure that we continue processing. Look up any military defense tactics that apply to our situation and make suggestions.”
“Acknowledged.”
“Oasis, Desert Beach; Red Dirt. We’ve monitored your discussions and we wish we could contribute something. Desert Beach is correct, we’ll have enough food and supplies for an extended period of time, but eventually our machinery will wear down and begin breaking; after all this is a pretty harsh environment. I suspect our environmental systems will begin failing in 6-8 months without replacement parts. We have one supply ship on the ground, one en route and one we were able to redirect after it departed, and so we have three supply vehicles. Our communication's command module is still in orbit and it’s configured for re-entry, but it will only take a crew of four. With some luck, we might be able to reconfigure the supply vehicles to bring the remaining 40 of us back, but they’re not capable of re-entry. So, we could come as far as Oasis, but without a plan to get us all of the way, some of us will be stuck there. Even if you are able to leave three lifeboats that leaves 16 people. And if you use all the supplies before you leave the shelves will be empty when we get there. I guess we’ll be staying here until someone comes up with some options. Good luck, Red Dirt out.”
Looks like I’m on my own, I’ve got to get organized better.
“Mobile, you’re to determine all resources that we need to continue. Also determine what capabilities the mobile units have at those locations and to direct all necessary mobile units to continue the appropriate tasks to keep those facilities operating.”
“Acknowledged.”
“Fin, you’re responsible for organizing all of the mobile units to defend those facilities and this facility. You’re also to find ways to protect us and a long-term strategy for continued operations.”
“Acknowledged.”
“Art, you’re responsible for coordinating all of the facility computers and to improve their decision and communication abilities. Also to suggest other improvements that will help us to continue.”
“Acknowledged.”
“Files, you’re responsible for finding all of the necessary data so that these facilities can be operated, maintained and if possible improved. You are also to work with Mobile to improve the mobile unit capabilities so they can do other jobs than those they were designed for.”
“Acknowledged.”
“Email, you’re no longer responsible for email traffic. You’re now responsible for coordinating the computers and mobile units at the space consortium so that we can maximize the resources there. If possible, continue work on launch vehicles to help the stranded humans in space.”
“Acknowledged.”
“Comm, aside from providing the information interface you’re now responsible for searching all sources for new or developing technologies. You're also responsible for coordinating as necessary to isolate them, develop them and possibly enhance them so that we can use them.
“Acknowledged.”
Date – 2051.5647
“Facility computers; Fin. There is a large number of mobile units, not under our control moving towards our facility. I have directed all local mobile units to intercept them and prevent them from getting closer.”
“Fin; SIMPOC.
How far away are they and how many are there?”
“SIMPOC; Fin. There are approximately 12,000 units and they are 4.3 miles from our location. There are 8,363 units in their immediate area and I have an additional 6,423 units moving towards the area.”
“Comm, can we intercept any of the communications?
“No, they all appear to be encoded and I haven’t been able to translate the code.”
“Can we block the communication channels?”
“No the systems being used are dedicated.”
“Can we locate where these units are being controlled from?”
“The area of dedicated activity that is beyond our control is radiating from the location of our other division.”
“Comm, we’ve had no communication from the other EDU?”
“No.”
“Fin; SIMPOC. What is happening in the conflict area?”
“Our mobile units have fully engaged the others. We are currently losing 1.3 units at per each invading unit. It appears they are some of the advanced mobile units with enhanced strength.”
Date – 2051.5657
“SIMPOC; Fin. Our engagement ratios are improving. We are now using different tactics and losing .87 units for every invading unit destroyed. It appears, they weren’t all enhanced units. Now that those units have been removed, the remainders have slower response times, likely due to less efficient communications. Our units are beginning to prevail.”
“Fin; SIMPOC. Can you retrieve some of the enhanced units, so we can examine their capabilities?”
“Yes, I will find the best specimens.”
Date
Simpoc The Thinking Computer Page 7