Illuminae (The Illuminae Files #1)(56)

Carlin, M, 2nd Lt: Military personnel, civilian conscripts, you name it. We had to get the hell out of there! It opened the inner doors and let them inside! Dozens of them! They just kept coming, Jesus Chri—

Boll, S, Capt: Lieutenant, calm down. Are you telling me you and your comrades were exposed to Copernicus refugees infected by the phobos virus?

Carlin, M, 2nd Lt: Exposed? They tried to f*cking kill us! There were dozens of the bastards and they just wouldn’t go down. The shuttles have wounded aboard. Probably the pods, too. We need medical teams on deck when we arrive. What bay are we cleared to land in?

Carlin, M, 2nd Lt: Captain Boll, I repeat, what bay are we cleared to land in, over?

Boll, S, Capt: Lieutenant, you will hold position and await further instructions. Any attempt to land aboard Hypatia will be interpreted as a hostile act and you will be met with force.

Carlin, M, 2nd Lt: Captain, what the hell are you talking about? We’re on your side!

Carlin, M, 2nd Lt: Captain?

RADIO MESSAGE: COMMAND CHANNEL HYPATIA

Participants: Syra Boll, Captain, Hypatia (Acting)

Mikael Carlin, 2nd Lieutenant, Alexander

Date: 07/30/75

Timestamp: 12:23 (16 minutes later)

Boll, S, Capt: Lieutenant Carlin, this is Captain Syra Boll of the WUC Hypatia. Over.

Carlin, M, 2nd Lt: Captain, I read you, what—

Boll, S, Capt: Lieutenant, the Alexander Cyclone group will proceed to Hypatia Landing Bay Two. All shuttles will land in Bay Three. We’ll tow your pods there, too. Acknowledge?

Carlin, M, 2nd Lt: Thank god. Roger that. Bays Two and Three. Thank you, Cap—

Boll, S, Capt: Lieutenant, I’m sorry, but you and your group will be placed in quarantine.

Carlin, M, 2nd Lt: Quarantine?

Boll, S, Capt: Affirmative. You will not be permitted to leave Hypatia’s hangar bays.

Carlin, M, 2nd Lt: But we have wounded! I have friends on those shuttles, and they’re hurt!

Boll, S, Capt: I understand, Lieutenant. Your wounded will be treated by Hypatia medical personnel in full hazmat gear, accompanied by Hypatia security forces. But I CANNOT allow them to leave the hangar bays. I’m sorry. I can’t take the risk you’ll spread the infection to Hypatia personnel until the quarantine period is complete.

Carlin, M, 2nd Lt: Right. Right, I get it. I understand. Acknowledged. But we need to get the hell away from the Alexander. The AI has—

Boll, S, Capt: Furthermore, I must request all Alexander military personnel relinquish their sidearms and other munitions upon arrival. The power cores of your Cylones will be deactivated and their weapons disarmed.

Carlin, M, 2nd Lt: Captain, we’re on the same side here …

Boll, S, Capt: Lieutenant, I apologize, but these terms are not negotiable. Furthermore, you will report any outbreak of the Shakes or other Phobos-like symptoms among your people immediately.

Carlin, M, 2nd Lt: What? Why?

Boll, S, Capt: Lieutenant, I take it you’re a Kerenza conscript?

Carlin, M, 2nd Lt: Yes, ma’am. I used to fly loaders at the spaceport, if you believe that.

Boll, S, Capt: Lieutenant, if one of your people has contracted the virus, we need to get them separated from the rest of you before the infection spreads. Is this understood?

Carlin, M, 2nd Lt: But what ab—

Boll, S, Capt: Lieutenant! I am NOT playing f*cking games here! We’re talking about the lives of thousands of people. Non-compliance with these orders or any attempt to impede my staff will be interpreted as a hostile act. Do you acknowledge, Lieutenant?

Boll, S, Capt: Lieutenant Carlin! Acknowledge!

Carlin, M, 2nd Lt: … Acknowledged, Hypatia.

Boll, S, Capt: When you land, power down your ships, toss your sidearms from your portside and exit your cockpits on starboard. Then await further instructions. Over.

Carlin, M, 2nd Lt: Okay. I mean … roger. Sorry. Christ … it’s just …

Carlin, M, 2nd Lt: It’s just that I knew some of … some of them …

Boll, S, Capt: It’s all right, Lieutenant. It’s going to be okay. We want to help you.

Carlin, M, 2nd Lt: Okay … Yeah, okay.

Carlin, M, 2nd Lt: Hey, Captain?

Boll, S, Capt: Yes, Lieutenant?

Carlin, M, 2nd Lt: Thanks.

Boll, S, Capt: Don’t thank me yet, Lieutenant. We’re a long way from Heimdall.

Boll, S, Capt: Hypatia out.

Mason, E, LT 2nd: so i have good news and bad news

Mason, E, LT 2nd: oh, and worse news

ByteMe: go

Mason, E, LT 2nd: good news is we found some hazmat suits and didn’t get f*cking murdered by a roaming pack of psychotics armed with fire axes and lead pipes

Mason, E, LT 2nd: which i guess is excellent news, now i think about it

ByteMe: best all day, keep talking, don’t waste time.

ByteMe: tho i’m glad you’re alive <3

Mason, E, LT 2nd: me too :P

ByteMe: and the bad news?

Mason, E, LT 2nd: bad news is we made it to some escape pods

ByteMe: … wait how is that bad news?

Mason, E, LT 2nd: coz every single one we’ve found has been dead. no override. the AI must have freaked out when people started abandoning ship. It’s disabled all the pods.

ByteMe: shit

Mason, E, LT 2nd: yyyyyyep

ByteMe: okay so what’s the worse news?

Mason, E, LT 2nd: i really need to use the little cyclone pilot’s room.