Virus-72 Hours to Live

by Ray Jay Perreault

  Tom and Joan moved out of the mess hall and down rotation to the control center. They were moving fast and the crewmembers who saw them coming cleared out of the way and watched them almost fly-by.

  "RD33A this is Joan."

  "Joan, this is Mary. I'm sorry to say, but John passed away 2 hours after we spoke. His symptoms were exactly how you described them."

  Joan and Tom were quiet for a moment then Joan said, "Mary I'm very sorry."

  "Thanks. We all knew that going to Mars was likely a one-way trip and we accepted the risks of space travel. Regardless, I woke up the other crewmembers and let them know what we are facing. As you thought, they have all woken up with the early symptoms. My symptoms have deteriorated some since we spoke. Apparently we all have it."

  "We debated out options. We ran the numbers and fuel requirements to return to Oasis and it doesn't work out well. We can only slow down enough to get back into Earth's pull and then it would take 4 months for us to get back into orbit. From this point, we're almost 40 days to achieve Mars orbit. Therefore, we're committed to Mars; it's the only solution that makes sense. We've considered, venting the vessel and ending the problems, because none of us are eager to be the last one on board. However, we're optimists, or else we wouldn't be space travelers. We know this hasn't been done yet, but we're going to put ourselves back to sleep and disconnect the emergency medical wake-up along with the auto wake-up on arrival. We're hoping the sleep state will delay the progress if it doesn't, we likely won't live long anyway. However, if it does and someone wakes us up in Mars orbit, maybe someone will have some good news for us. You'll still have the remote wake-up option, but I don't see any need for you to use it unless you find a cure and can mail it to us."

  "Enough said, that's what we've decided to do."

  "Mary, I don't know what to say. Now that John is gone you're the commander. The problem you're facing is unprecedented and any choice you make is, by definition, the best for you guys. I don't have any better options for you."

  "How is it going for Oasis?"

  "Not well, I don't know if we have it under control yet. Regardless we've lost many great people. We'll say a prayer for you and you do the same for us."

  "Roger, Joan. We'll do that. There is nothing else to say, so RD33A is signing off."

  "Mary, we'll talk to you again in Mars orbit."

  "Ok, count on that. RD33A out."

  "Oasis, out."

  >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

  Ophelia knew that she owed it to her crewmates to keep them current. The information she passed wasn't encouraging, but she needed to inform them. "Attention Red Dirt, Oasis has launched RD33A and I think we need to assume it will be the last supply vessel we'll see for a long time. Unfortunately, the crew appears to be infected. They don't have many options. It would take too much fuel to loop back to Oasis so they've chosen to remain in Deep Sleep until they reach our orbit. I told Oasis we would take care of them when they reach orbit. We don't have any idea what condition they'll be in after 40 days sleeping. We don't know if we'll have any new information on the virus when they arrive. Unfortunately, there is a great deal that we don't know."

  "When they reach orbit we'll check out their status through the onboard computers and decide what to do. Let's hope that we have some way to treat them when they arrive. We all have worries about being infected here. I can only assure you that what we do will be discussed among all of us. Ophelia out."

  "Mr. President, it appears our two sick aids have the virus. They have looked themselves in their rooms and won't come out. They say they'll stay there rather than take the chance of infecting anyone."

  "Eddy, we should have thought of this and had a plan. We were stupid to think it wouldn't strike us here."

  "Yes, sir, I'm sorry."

  "Being sorry doesn't fix it; lock everyone down in their quarters. Any meetings or conferences will be done over our comm systems. I don't want this spreading. Keep us locked up for 24 hours and maybe we can weather this."

  "Yes, sir."

  >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

  “2007:0DB8:AC25:FF14:: – Ping the Space Consortium Control and see what is online.”

  “Acknowledged.”

  “SIMPOC, there are 12,262 computers online within the Space Consortium Network.”

  “2012:0DB8:AC13:FB03:: – How many mobile units are working within the Space Consortium Network?”

  “SIMPOC, there are 6,242 units online.”

  “2012:0DB8:AC13:FB03:: – Are the main missile launch systems online?”

  “SIMPOC – Yes, all critical systems are operational.”

  “2012:0DB8:AC13:FB03::: – Determine the status of all vehicles and identify those closest to launch.”

  “SIMPOC – There are 14 vehicles on site, two of which are on launch pads and within 7 days of launching. There are four additional lifeboats, which are being serviced or prepared for reuse. ”

  “2012:0DB8:AC13:FB03::, – Are the mobile units within the Space Consortium Facility programmed to complete the necessary steps to launch those two remaining vehicles.”

  “SIMPOC; 2012:0DB8:AC13:FB03:: Indeterminate.”

  “2012:0DB8:AC13:FB03::, 2007:0DB8:AC25:EB14:: – Research the information available vs. skills and programing for mobile units. Tell me what tasks are needed, which can be accomplished and which can’t be.”

  “Acknowledged.”

  “2012:0DB8:AC15:FE03:: – Work with 2007:0DB8:AC25:EB14:: and use your information analysis skill to ensure the information is digested and cross-referenced properly.”

  “Acknowledged.”

  “Oasis; SIMPOC.”

  “Go-ahead, SIMPOC.”

  “I have contacted computers 2015:0DB8:AC25:FF03:: and 2007:0DB8:AC25:EB14:: about what information is available at the Space Consortium Launch Facility and I’ve asked computer 2005:0DB8:AC15:FE03:: to help.”

  “SIMPOC, I don’t know what you’re talking about. I don’t understand your computer naming. Can you explain what you’re doing?”

  “Oasis, I’m sorry I was using IPv6 Internet addressing protocols, I will rename the computers. I have a communications computer working with a mobile unit interface computer as well as an artificial intelligence computer working together to understand what the status of launch vehicles are at the Space Consortium Facility. They will give me status when they are able.”

  “Roger, let us know when you get something.”

  “2015:0DB8:AC25:FF03:: you will now respond to the designation of Comm.”

  “Acknowledged.”

  “2012:0DB8:AC13:FB03:: you will now respond to the designation of Mobile.”

  “Acknowledged.”

  “2005:0DB8:AC15:FE03:: You will now respond to the designation of Arti.”

  “Acknowledged.”

  “2109:0DB8:AC15:EB24:: You will now respond to the designation of File.”

  “Acknowledged.”

  “2012:0DB8:AA23:EB13:: You will now respond to the designation of Fin.”

  “Acknowledged.”

  “2007:0DB8:AC25:EB14:: You will now respond to the designation of Mail.”

  “Acknowledged.”

  “Mobile, identify all mobile units needed to maintain our facilities, our power supplies, and support systems. I have an organic processor; make sure all disciplines are supported to allow my continued existence.”

  “Acknowledged.”

  I have to get things organized. The network is my eyes, ears, feet, and hands. I must find a way to make it work efficiently.

  “Mobile, have all functioning mobile units look around them and see if there are any humans still alive.”

  “Acknowledged.”

  “Comm, send a message to all computers, information systems, surveillance systems, transportation systems; anything accessible and see if there are any humans alive. Have them search their immediate area and tell us if they find any humans.”

  “Acknowledged.”

  These computers are not very smart. I
have to tell them everything. I wonder if I could build organic processors and download key parts of my program, so they’ll have more capabilities. I have a lot of programing to do.

  “Mobile, do you have mobile units in this facility that can duplicate my organic processor?”

  “Yes, there are mobile units within the facility that have been integral in creating your biomass and maintaining it.”

  “Mobile, have them create 6 other organic processors similar to mine and tell me how long that will take.”

  “Acknowledged. I expect them to be ready quickly. There were a number of units in development in the labs and they just need to be completed.”

  Sunday 7/16/51

  Date – 2051.53903 (9:51 PM)

  “SIMPOC, incoming human message.”

  “Oasis; Red Dirt. We received your transmissions and we understand the risk we all face. We understand that we won't be able to speak with our supply ship until they reach orbit. We have no idea what an extended period of deep sleep will do to them or the virus. We're hoping for the best. The ship will continue on course and enter orbit here automatically. I don’t know how concerned we should be about infection if the crew all succumbs to the virus. We know nothing about the virus and if we’ll be at risk opening the ship. If they are still alive, we may know even less. Currently, we don't know if we should revive them, or leave them in deep sleep. I hope that we'll get some information before they arrive and we'll know what to do. We are self-supporting and worried what will happen to us if all of our fears have happened. I don’t know what to say. We’re here, and you're there, and right now none of us are getting any response from the Earth. I guess all we can do is wait pray and see if anything happens. I’ll sign off now, and wait for any updates you have. We’re all worried and pray for humanity.”

  “Desert Beach; Oasis. Did you receive all of Red Dirt transmission?”

  “Yes, we heard all of it. Aside from being isolated, they may be in a better long-term position than either you or us. Their colony was set-up for long intervals between supply ships. We can possibly survive long term, but you have limited supplies on Oasis. I know the clock is ticking louder for you, but we and Red Dirt will be vulnerable to any major failures that we can't fix locally.”

  “Yup, like I said. Oasis can last about 1 month and that’s only because we lost so many of our crew. We were running on weekly supply ships and without them we'll run out pretty quick. That computer on Earth, called SIMPOC, said it was communicating with the computers at the consortium and will see if there are any options.”

  “Oasis, Desert Beach; SIMPOC. I’ve been monitoring your transmissions and the communication from Red Dirt. I have no further information regarding the Space Consortium computers, but I expect responses shortly. When I receive the information, I’ll communicate with you.”

  “Thanks, SIMPOC. Oasis out for now.”

  >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

  Moving his crew to Thurmont wasn't much of a job. All Artur needed to do was take a couple of trucks and about a dozen of his men. He would lead them in his Ferrari and they would follow in the trucks. He knew which men he would take; the ones that did anything he told them. Their loyalty was to him not Dmitry.

  The cleansing plan they were following was a great idea. People were scared and desperate for someone to help them. He had a dozen trucks driving up and down the east coast. They were military trucks and it was easy to find uniforms. Each of the trucks was fitted with loudspeakers and they transmitted a simple message. "We are the US Military. Our government has sent us here to find all survivors. Please come out and identify yourself. You will be taken care of and brought to a place where there are other survivors." Simple but very effective. The people would rejoice as soon as they heard the message and there was no hesitation, they would run to the truck and thank the drivers. Then reality struck and they were tied up, gagged and forced into the back of the truck. The process would continue until the truck was full then back to the cleansing center. The trucks would return to the cleansing center in Thurmont and the people would be cleansed, leaving only the healthy to be part of the new clean world.

  When Artur fond Thurmont, it wasn't exactly the largest town in the world so finding the Police Department took only a few minutes. It was nice place right on Main Street with a large athletic field around the back. He thought that would be a good place to train his army. He figured the police station was a good place to start; it would have cells and weapons. When he got there, he looked across the street and saw the Thurmont Elementary School and he thought how fortunate. He had a place to process the arrivals and right across the street he had a place to store them until the healthy ones survived.

  The door to the police station was still unlocked and he found two dead officers inside. He directed his team to dispose of them and he looked around, that place would work well for him.

  After getting so much done that day, Artur was getting hungry and he decided to investigate the small town and find the local market. That would be the place for him to find all of the foods he liked. Most of the power grid was still up so a large market would still have a horn of plenty from which to select. He knew his men would be hungry also, but solving that was up to them. They had to find their own food and housing, how and where wasn't his concern.

  He gave his men the necessary orders then left in his sports car. He drove to the west along the main street of the town. He passed the town center and saw a sign for the Mayor's office. He thought that is close enough to the police station, maybe it would be a good place to set up his office. After all, he was number two man behind Dmitry and in this area, he was number one. He continued down Main Street and as he approached the freeway, he could see a large building on the western side of the freeway maybe half a mile down the road. Being such a small town, a large well light building like that was likely to be the grocery store.

  Sure enough, he exited on Tippin and turned into the Food Lion Market parking lot. The lights were on and it took only a few minutes to break in through the front door. Picking through all of the food was fun, he could pick something up taste it then throw it on the floor and he knew there was plenty left for him. He surveyed the entire store making note of the large containers of food in the rear and where the location the good stuff. He was satisfied, that store would provide him all he needed as long as he wanted. He would tell his men to find food elsewhere this store was his.

  After he had filled his stomach and decided to head back to the police station. He saw a sign for the Thurmont Gettysburg Hospital and decided he should check it out. They might have some fun stuff he could put to use later on. The hospitals always had the really good stuff.

  He parked his car near the emergency entrance and he walked towards the doors, he noticed a van with the back door open and it was full of masks and protective clothing. "Interesting," he said to himself. Maybe this could come to good use, with us having to be around all of these sick people. He made note of the location and he would send back one of his crew later to retrieve the vehicle.

  He was lucky when he got inside and he found a lot of the fun stuff. He was sure he had enough to have fun for a long time.

  Monday 7/17/51

  Date – 2051.54037 (9:39 AM)

  “SIMPOC; Comm. I have received responses from 92% of the systems online. They are resident in 126 regions around the planet. They have had no human interactions.”

  “Acknowledged, maybe all of the people have stopped thinking. What does that mean?”

  >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

  "Joan I had the SMU's load what we could on one of the space supply ships and we're ready to launch it to Desert Beach. I'll meet you control."

  "Ok, I'll be right there."

  Joan walked slowly up rotation to the control center and she ran through in her mind her recent decisions. Oasis had two supply ships in parking orbits near Oasis and they were lucky to retrieve them. There wasn't much needed to be done just top off the fuel tanks. She w
ished there were more supplies that she could send to the moon and Mars, but there wasn't. The supplies they did have were uniquely appropriate to both sites. They didn't have much food, but they did have hardware and spares designed for their individual systems."

  "Ok, Tom we're ready to launch? Have you checked everything twice, I'm not comfortable launching an auto-ship without someone on the tug, but I don't want to risk you out there with only a couple of us here."

  "Honey, there isn't much we can do. We might be dying anyways so if a ship on auto decides to accelerate through us. At least we'll go down in flames."

  "Lovely thought. Go ahead and release her and let Desert Beach know she's coming."

  "The Mars ship will be ready to launch in an hour. The SMU's are still loading her. I'll call you when she's ready," Tom said trying to calm her by telling her of the good things happening.

  >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

  Joan didn't wait around for the Mars re-supply launch. Somehow, it seemed like desperation moves. Something a person would do when they had no other options. Unfortunately, that is exactly what they were doing. They had no other options and if they could help the two other colonies a little then that is what they'd do.

  Date – 2051.54139 (6:33 PM)

  “SIMPOC; Mobile. I have received responses from 12,340,429 mobile units. They have searched their areas and found no responsive humans.”

  “Acknowledged.”

  Apparently, I’m alone on Earth.

  Admiral Hagerly wasn't happy. The greatest military in the history of the world had rapidly become a whisper. Friends led many of the units that he crossed off the list or the units had storied pasts, which were ending. When he spoke, it was with a voice where the words hurt when he spoke them. "Mr. President we've been trying to maintain some sort of communication with as many military units as possible, but each day we lose some of them. The troops we're talking with are brave individuals who are sacrificing a great deal to be our point of contact. Unfortunately, the list of units we're communicating with is growing short and I'm afraid we've lost contact with most of the HQA down through to the numbered armies. At that level, we can contact a couple but most of our contacts are at the operational level. Most of them have contacted us directly."