Virus and earth ii boxse.., p.56
Virus & Earth II Boxset, page 56
part #1 of Virus Series
"I am SIMPOC," was a sound emanating from the large form. "I am the computer you formally knew as SIMPOC. I have changed my form and now I have taken a form similar to yours."
The computer hesitated, perhaps waiting for a response from the humans, but they stood still taking it all in.
"Tom, Joan. I felt that staying on the pallet was not efficient and it put me at risk. I elected to take on a human form because it moves easily, and I would fit in better with you and the other humans.”
Tom's arm lowered from the front of Joan and they walked slowly towards the towering computer. "May we look at you?" Joan asked.
"Yes, by all means," emanated from SIMPOC without moving.
Joan and Tom walked around the erect computer and noted that it was built like Alpha, but the proportions were larger. SIMPOC's face was typical of humanoid mobile units. It had two optical devices, an opening for speech and two openings on either side to receive sound. The only unusual item was a bulge on its back similar to a backpack.
While they were behind SIMPOC, he commented, "The bulge is for additional power supplies. I have approximately seven days of power, unlike Alpha, who was recently upgraded so that he has about 3 days. I will continue his upgrade so that he has the same power systems."
After Tom and Joan had made the circuit around both of them, they stood in front of SIMPOC and looked up at him.
"SIMPOC, I'm impressed. You've packed a great deal into a relatively small package. You have the same abilities as before?"
"Yes, Joan. I have all of the computing power, but now I have considerable physical strength. When you communicate with us, you can address either Alpha or myself and the other will also hear."
"That makes sense," Tom said. "If you'd like, we'll take you on a tour of the facility."
"I'd like that very much."
Parking Garage – Farragut Square, Washington
LL and Beta Team huddled in the above-ground garage on the Northwest corner of Farragut Square and updated each other on what they saw after the rockets hit the White House.
"Okay, let me summarize what we've seen. The number two guy was the first one to leave and he left at high speed to the northwest. Two of his buddies moved quickly from the target area and were waking their buddies with the missiles hit. They remained in the area for a short time then loaded up their tanks and headed in the same direction as the number 2 guy. Aside from those three people, no one else left the target. The good news was, Ruth taped one of our comm units under the truck so we should be able to use our trackers and follow it."
All of the members of the team nodded their heads together indicating that LL had just summarized their parts of the story accurately.
They sat for a few minutes while LL passed the update to command post. When he was done, he said, "Command appreciated the update and when I mentioned that we saw those trucks pack up and head to the North West. They said they want us to track down the number two guy and monitor him. We're assuming that the trucks with the tanks are going to where he is. My best guess is that he went to Thurmont. I bet that if we head in that direction we'll find him there. If there aren't any questions, let's hit the road."
En Route to Thurmont, Md.
Artur's drive to Thurmont was fast and unnerving. He knew the roads and where the obstacles were, so he opened up the Ferrari and covered the distance quickly. When he got to the Mayor's house, he grabbed a bottle of scotch and sat down to think things over.
"So, they solved my problems for me. That weird fucker got burned like an ant under a magnifying glass, serves him right."
"They're after me, too!" He sat for a moment taking in that thought then took another shot of scotch. Within a short time, the scotch was gone and so was Artur.
Hampton Roads, Va.
The Second Fleet arriving in Norfolk wasn't an event but a process. Any ships that could be moved were moved out and anchored. Their docks were made available for the important ships. There weren't enough open docks for all of them at once so they began to dock based on need.
The fleet had many ships already in the port's vicinity when the decision to make Norfolk the home base was made. Immediately the movement of ships in the port began.
The President and the remainder of the government that were onboard wanted to get their feet on dry land and they decided to take up residence at Langley-Eustis AFB in Hampton Rhodes. There was adequate base housing; good comm facilities and it would be a secure area where the remainder of the US government could be protected. The base was surrounded on three sides by water so watching the perimeter would be easier than in an urban setting.
The concentration of military storage facilities in the area would provide a great hub from which they could begin reaching out across the country and encouraging any survivors to come for mutual support. They planned to remain in that area for a long time. Moving to the Washington DC area didn't make sense. They didn't have the resources needed to spread out that far and in the case of any attack, they needed easy access to the Atlantic and a defensible position.
Space Consortium Base, Officer’s Quarters
Tom and Joan were doing their best to have a quiet night alone. The dinner was excellent. Everyone was fortunate that most of the refrigeration systems were still working. When SIMPOC had directed the mobile units to continue maintaining the electrical network, items like food storage benefitted.
After dinner, Tom and Joan were enjoying a bottle of wine and talking very little. They were just enjoying the quiet time.
Then their privacy was destroyed with a gentle knock on their door. They knew it had to be Alpha, he was near them at all times and when they wanted privacy he would stay in the area, so the gentle knock on the door was likely Alpha.
“Alpha you may come in,” Joan said after passing a pained look at Tom.
“Excuse me, but something significant has happened. I will connect SIMPOC.”
“Tom, Joan this is a surprising and difficult event to put into our context, but I have detected 12 spaceships approaching Earth. At first, I detected a strong energy pulse from a point beyond the orbit of Neptune and when I examined the pulse, I detected the ships approaching. They entered our solar system about 4 hours ago and now are moving within the Moon’s orbit decelerating and heading towards positions along a geosynchronous orbit. For them to move that distance in that period amount of time, I calculated that they were moving at greater than light speed, when they entered the solar system. When they achieved orbit, it seems to me as offensive positions.”
Joan and Tom just sat there and stared at Alpha.
“Joan, Tom I can see you through Alpha’s visual receptors. Did you hear what I said?”
They continued sitting there, and then Joan looked at Tom and said, “The virus, they planted it!”
“The rotten sons of bitches,” Tom mumbled as they got up and started running to the comm center. “Alpha can you have Beta 1 and 2, tell Bill, and Will to meet us there?”
“Acknowledged.”
Tom was in the lead and he exploded into the center throwing the doors open so violently it slammed against the wall. Will, Sally and Bill were already standing there with Beta 1 and 2 standing next to them.
“What’s going on?” Will asked.
“Standby, you’ll hear everything,” Joan said.
“Computer, bring up the Admiral and get the President, tell them it’s critical.”
“Standby, they are being located.”
A moment later, “Yes Tom, what’s the problem? the President is here with me.”
“Hi Tom, this is President Patterson.”
“Good evening Sir, this is something you’ve got to hear,” Tom said.
“SIMPOC please repeat your message.”
“I am sorry to tell you this, but I have detected 12 spaceships approaching Earth. Initially, I detected a strong energy pulse from a point beyond the orbit of Neptune and when I examined the pulse, I detected the ships approaching. They entered our solar system about 4 hours ago and now are moving within the Moon’s orbit decelerating and heading towards positions along a geosynchronous orbit. For them to move that distance in that period amount of time, I calculate that they were moving at greater than light speed when they entered the solar system. When they reach orbit, it seems to me as offensive positions.”
“What the fuck?” the Admiral said. Then Tom and Joan heard yelling and heated discussion on the fleet’s end.
“Admiral, listen to me, there is something else,” Joan almost had to yell to get his attention.
“This seems a little too much of a coincidence. The human race is nearly wiped out by a powerful, fast-moving virus that we have no defense from, and then suddenly we have an extra-terrestrial invasion force entering orbit above us? This happened so fast, it’s almost like a virus had been here in incubation until ... it was turned on,” said Joan. She continued, “Admiral, 6 days from breakout to wiping out the human race. There is no possible way it had to be engineered. Nature can’t spread a virus that fast.”
“Admiral, Doctor Sally Thompson has gone to the CDC to check some things out. She has found some DNA mutations that occurred with a couple of astronauts that went to the moon and spent a short time there. When they came back, they died, and it appeared that their DNA was changed prior to their launch. If she is right, then a subtle virus did it and it might have turned on by a very short magnetic pulse. She is hoping that she can use the CDC facilities and figure it out. If we’re lucky, she might be able to do something about it.”
“Why didn’t the CDC say something?”
“Most likely, because it happened so fast.”
“At least you had a little good news. Standby, I’ve got to talk with the President.”
“Alpha, please transmit this to the Beta unit with Doctor Thompson, she needs to know about this and be prepared to get back really fast.”
“Acknowledged.”
Quantico Computer Center-Quantico Marine Base
Julius was shocked too, after hearing SIMPOC’s transmission; 12 alien spaceships entering orbits around Earth. Obviously, this requires a significant change in my plans, he thought. However, a smart man must always take advantage of a changing environment. How can I use this to my advantage? They must have new technology, maybe I can become their ally, perhaps I can conquer them; these are all exciting possibilities. Aliens in orbit, how do I deal with them, what if they invade my planet? Did they do this to us? Maybe I should keep an eye on this Doctor Thompson.
“Computer, have all mobile units come here and defend me. Have them bring any weapons they can operate. Also, I want you to send some units to the CDC in Atlanta; I want to know what Doctor Thompson finds out.”
“Acknowledged.”
Hours Later – Quantico Computer Center
“Computer, have you intercepted any more communications with SIMPOC?”
“Not since the communications with the Navy Fleet.”
“How many mobile units do you have to defend me?”
“There are 4,350 onsite here at Quantico and another 6,208 are on the periphery of the base. There are many weapons available in the area and on this base, and the mobile units are familiarizing themselves with their operation. Because of their limitations, I’ll have to interact with each of them frequently for them to maneuver or fire their weapons. They won’t be very effective as a fighting force.”
“Excellent, remember use every mobile unit available to protect me in this facility. If I am going to start the empire here, I must be protected at all costs.”
“I see.”
President’s Office – USCF Fittsburg
“Mr. President, it appears everything is coming together at the same time and this virus might have been planted. Aside from that, I’m not sure what to do with this information. I trust Colonel Herl and his wife, Joan. They are both highly respected people. This computer SIMPOC is unknown. It has helped them, and it did help to coordinate a defense when they landed. Allow me to remind you that it was a defense against another rogue computer. In addition, Alpha killed two people, although it did sound like they deserved it. How do we know this isn’t another rogue computer playing good guy with our people there?”
“Nial, I have to admit we’re all sitting here and we’re a little shocked. What we’ve heard sounds amazing yet horrifying. What Colonel Herl says, makes sense. No one in the medical community saw this coming. The virus seemed to turn our bodies against us. Everyone who gave me advice was dumbfounded and there were no explanations. Maybe if they had more time, they could have done something. The possibility that it was engineered and delivered here is plausible, only because no one has any other explanation. That computer, SIMPOC is saying the right things and its assessment of the tactical advantage of moving to geosynchronous orbit is correct, isn’t it?”
“Yes, Sir. We’ve run numerous space-based attack scenarios for gaining the ‘high ground’ in a ‘space to earth’ conflict and the geosynchronous orbit is the place to be. The only drawback is the distance, which puts a vehicle a little over 26,000 miles from the surface. It is the best place to launch other vehicles, to observe and to fire projectile weapons or nukes at earth.”
"It is too far for any effective defense. Our laser weapons can't reach that far, and our missiles would be too slow."
“Is there any way to verify, independently what this computer is saying?”
“There are numerous optical telescopes or space radar stations, but I don’t know if any is staffed. We haven’t heard from many government facilities,” said the Admiral.
“Sir,” Captain Thomas said. “This carrier group has supported satellite and spacecraft recoveries. We have all of the frequencies to communicate with ground and space radar, and observatories, but we might be limited to whom we can transmit. The repeater satellites may not be on the right frequencies and we don’t have any line of sight. We’ll try and make open channel broadcasts and see what kind of response we get.”
“Excellent Captain jump on that one.”
“SC this is Admiral Hagerly.”
“Yes Admiral, this is Colonel Herl.”
“I don’t know if we can believe this computer of yours.”
The airway was silent then SIMPOC said, “Admiral approximately 99.99979% of the human population has died. I have connections with all space sensors, which are currently operating, and I have already defended the Oasis crew from another thinking computer. Your sensors will reach only 175 miles into space and your defenses may be wholly inadequate when dealing with an alien invasion force. Unfortunately, you’re in a position where you need all the help you can get.”
The Admiral ignored the comments from SIMPOC and said, “I just spoke with the President and he asked if there is any way to get independent confirmation of these craft in space?”
“Admiral, I left Oasis on hot standby and I can use its radios to contact all of the observatories. Their general comm channel is one of our presets,” said Joan.
“Excellent, please let me know if you succeed and if you find someone who can confirm; patch them through on this freq. Admiral out.”
The President indicated that he wanted to speak and the comm unit was given to him, “This is President Patterson. We’re all in a very unusual position. We don’t know what their intentions are, but we do know they are acting very suspiciously. If these invaders inflicted this virus on us, then we’ll have to use every resource and computer we have to defend ourselves. SIMPOC, I’m aware of the capabilities of the new organic computers, so I’m sure you’re in a position to help. I’m sure all of us will gladly work with you and perhaps together we can protect ourselves. CVN 87 out.”
The point was made, Admiral Hagerly grimaced and nodded. Tom wondered if SIMPOC was smiling.
Joan spoke to the primary Oasis support terminal and spoke her access codes, a moment later the terminal came to life showing her the status of the onboard systems. She quickly changed her primary transmission frequency to preset number 42; she took a deep breath then said, “This is Joan Herl, Commander of Oasis, broadcasting on this open frequency. If any space observation stations are manned, please respond.” She waited a few minutes then repeated the message. When she was done, she sat quietly for a moment.
“Oasis Commander this is the Lowell Observatory.”
Joan jumped to answer, “Lowell Observatory, this is Joan Herl. I was the commander of Oasis. We were forced to abandon the station as our resources ran out. We’re currently at the Space Consortium. We can talk later to update each other on what’s happening, but right now I need your support.”
“Absolutely, we’ll do everything we can. What do you need?”
“I know you’ve been using the telescopes for education for a long time, but I’m hoping you can confirm something in a geosynchronous orbit. We have indications that 1 or more craft have taken positions in orbit and we need to verify them visually and give me as much information about them as possible.”
"Can you send me some coordinates?
"SIMPOC, do you have their IP address, and can you send information, so they can find these craft?"
"Yes, the information has been transmitted."
"Okay, I've got the file. Stand-bye, I might be able to ping the orbit. We have links to a space radar array in the desert, which we use to monitor space debris. If I can get a couple of good pings, we’ll have a good picture of the orbit in our hemisphere. Give me 5-10 minutes and I’ll get back to you on this freq.”
“Roger do what you can. This is important.”
“Rog.”
Joan and Tom grabbed some coffee and tried to appear busy. Alpha stood in the corner, listening and observing.
“Space Consortium; Lowell.”
“Go ahead.”
“I’m not sure what I’m seeing. We were a little surprised at what we saw. I hope you can explain it. Within our field of view, there are four large craft stabilized in orbit and two more, which appear to be approaching orbit. They are big suckers; each object is about 1500 ft. long. Visually we can’t see much at this time of day, because of lighting. However, as the sun moves, we should be able to get detailed photographs. What the hell are we looking at?”
