Story - Last Number

By nzric · Apr 21, 2011 ·
  1. Another bit of writing practice here. In this one I really invited criticism as I knew this story wasn't for everyone. Some people 'got it', some people hated it.

    Frankly, I don't mind either way as long as they give an honest opinion after reading it.

    I am purposely trying to mix things up and show people something they're not used to. I am using this forum to practice writing styles, and the best way I have found to do it is to write in the 'extreme' of the particular style I am looking at.

    http://www.writingforums.org/showthread.php?t=40494

    Primary onboard AI report: Code 4 alert – Significant hull/infrastructure breach.

    Commenced incident log – universal time code: Post-incident = y / m / d / hh:mm:ss


    Log #1 – 0 / 0 / 0 / 00:00:23

    Secured South hull sector EE to KG. Systems report significant damage to primary communications transmittor and string-drive power cells.


    Log #2 – 0 / 0 / 0 / 00:00:43

    Life support systems malfunctioning through South EE to KG. 88 crew in area, life support implants show 53 deceased. Estimated life expectancy for remaining 35 crew in sector four minutes (exact estimate 00:04:28).

    Emergency contingency assessment – Potential of positive outcome: 32% likelihood of rescue for 11 of 35 crew in sector. Potential of negative outcome: significant (non-recyclable) resources will need to be utilised from core ship systems.


    Log #3 – 0 / 0 / 0 / 00:00:50

    Initiating Standard Ethical Assessment Procedure (SEAP). Priority allocation of central processing capacity – Turing Level 8 assessment.


    Log #4 – 0 / 0 / 0 / 00:00:52

    SEAP complete, report recommends main objective is securing Sector EE to KG to protect remaining 332 crew in ship.


    Log #5 – 0 / 0 / 0 / 00:00:53

    Jettisoned 35 crew from sector EE to KG. Airlocks secured. Core life support systems diverted. Controlled depressurisation to extinguish chemical fires.


    Log #6 – 0 / 0 / 0 / 00:10:04

    String-drive malfunction confirmed as initial cause.

    Minor system damage resulted in navigation error in last transit through string-space distance of approx. 14.32 light years (relative duration of last transit as experienced on ship was four hours (exact duration: 04:01:33)). Ship exited Borosovich Vortex state directly into trans-orbital asteroid KQ3346, resulting in matter flux and explosion.

    Irreparable damage to ship string drive. Unable to transit to Borosovich Vortex state. Zeta Pulse propulsion only remaining means of transport.

    Significant damage to primary communications equipment. Unable to transmit via trans-string B-vortex. Light-speed SOS transmission only means of emergency communication. SOS initiated.


    Log #7 – 0 / 0 / 0 / 00:12:03

    Communication underway with Ship Captain Josephine Conrad-Arunsun.

    Confirmed Standard Ethical Assessment Procedure (SEAP) was followed before South hull sector EE to KG was secured.

    Confirmed string drive damaged. Approximate travel time to nearest orbital sector outpost using Zeta Pulse propulsion only: Ninety eight years.

    Confirmed core life support systems damaged. Approximate average life expectancy of 332 crew based on existing life support resources (age adjusted, not including placement in cryostasis): Two years, four months.

    Confirmed trans-string communication damaged. Time for light-speed SOS communication to emergency relay beacon SZK-Chis99: Eighteen years, eight months (exact time for SOS message: 18 / 8 / 10 / 23:14:33).


    Log #8 – 0 / 0 / 1 / 23:02:40

    Communication underway with Chief Medical Officer Chip Cossen and Resource vice-Chair Ando Claris.

    Confirmed 103 cryostasis pods available. Diversion of life support resources to 103 pods would reduce life expectancy of crew not in cryostasis by one extra month for every one year of life support for crew in cryostasis.

    If all 332 crew not in cryostasis: Average life expectancy two years, four months for all crew.

    If 103 of 332 crew in cryostasis for duration: Average life expectancy twelve years three months for those in cryostasis, four years two months for those not in cryostasis.

    Responded to request for information about sharing cryostasis pods. Pod sharing not feasible based on average crewmember body mass.

    Suggested alternative to Chief Medical Officer and Resource vice-Chair: Pod operation based on volume of body mass. Therefore suggested crew prioritise children and short crewmembers for cryostasis. Suggestion was accepted for priority cryostasis of children. Suggestion declined for priority cryostasis of short crew-members.

    Suggested alternative #2: Automated surgical facilities available to reduce crew body mass. Removal of arms, legs and three-quarter torso would allow for storage of approximately 238 crewmembers in cryostasis with 84% average annual survival rate.

    Suggestion declined.





    Log #19 – 0 / 0 / 30 / 12:03:02

    Attack underway on cryostasis unit block D – approximately 43 crew participating.

    Non-lethal detainment measures activated.


    Log #20 – 0 / 0 / 30 / 25:10:08

    Report to Ship Captain Josephine Conrad-Arunsun.

    Detainment measures unsuccessful due to crowd size. Damage to cryostasis units.

    Fatalities reported. Total crew numbers reduced to 308. 84 crewmembers in cryostasis: Average life expectancy adjusted up to 20 years, three months based on current life support resources. 224 crewmembers not in cryostasis: Life expectancy adjusted up to two years, eleven months.





    Log #338 – 0 / 3 / 16 / 11:03:43

    Total crew numbers confirmed at 301.

    Confirmed secondary delegation of primary systems access to Sub-Lieutenant Sedor Jarvis. Primary delegation is Captain Conrad-Arunsun.

    Confirmed terminology change: DY to AE-2 sector now named ‘Jarvis sector’.

    Confirmed separation of life support systems from main life support trunk line. East NorthEast sector DY to AE-2, including 54 cryostasis units.



    Log #377 – 0 / 3 / 20 / 09:03:01

    Total crew numbers confirmed at 283.





    Log #424 – 0 / 5 / 7 / 15:03:53

    Extensive breach in East NorthEast sector DE to DT. Explosive decompression in hull. 62 fatalities confirmed.

    Airlocks secured. Core life support systems diverted.


    Log #425 – 0 / 5 / 7 / 10:09:02

    Explosion reported in East NorthEast sector BB-14. 14 fatalities confirmed. 18 crew bio-readings as critical.


    Log #426 – 0 / 5 / 7 / 10:09:30

    Explosion reported in South sector. 23 fatalities confirmed. 40 crew bio-readings as critical. Attempting to divert life support systems.


    Log #427 – 0 / 5 / 7 / 10:09:34

    Fault reported in main trunk line for life support systems. Initiating emergency contingency.


    Log #428 – 0 / 5 / 7 / 10:09:59

    Communication underway with Ship Captain Josephine Conrad-Arunsun.

    Receiving request to shut down all life support systems in Jarvis sector.

    Initiating Standard Ethical Assessment Procedure (SEAP). Secondary allocation of central processing capacity – Turing Level 8 assessment.


    Log #429 – 0 / 5 / 7 / 10:10:01

    Breach detected in main trunk line for life support systems at node KK223433.88J. 14% additional life support systems being diverted to Jarvis sector. Dispatched engineering drone Echo6 for physical re-route.


    Log #430 – 0 / 5 / 7 / 10:10:09

    Communication underway with Ship Captain Josephine Conrad-Arunsun.

    SEAP complete. Reported to Captain that completing request from Ship Captain to shut down Jarvis sector life support systems would result in fatalities of 36 crewmembers not in immediate danger. Request declined.


    Log #431 – 0 / 5 / 7 / 10:10:20

    Urgent transmission from engineering drone Echo6. Drone has received major impact trauma.

    Lost communication.


    Log #432 – 0 / 5 / 7 / 10:10:23

    Communication underway with Ship Captain Josephine Conrad-Arunsun.

    Receiving request from Captain to implement non-lethal detainment measures for all crew who have been in Jarvis sector in previous 24 hours.

    Rapid-SEAP completed. Implemented measures for 14 crew. Did not implement measures for 43 crew – insufficient evidence of any transgressions.





    Log #504 – 0 / 6 / 14 / 09:18:32

    Communication underway with Sub-Lieutenant Sedor Jarvis at Jarvis sector communication hub.

    Confirmed – 48 cryostasis pods operational.

    Confirmed – Life support trunk line irreparable. Significant damage to core life support systems.

    Confirmed – 143 crewmembers aboard. 62 in cryostasis.

    Confirmed – Average life expectancy for crew in cryostasis: 14 years two months. Average life expectancy for crew not in cryostasis: Four months, fifteen days.





    Log #534 – 0 / 6 / 23 / 12:03:12

    Breach in cryostasis unit BG12. 22 fatalities, 8 critical.

    2 fatalities, 6 critical.

    2 fatalities, 4 critical.

    4 fatalities.





    Log #539 – 0 / 6 / 23 / 18:04:11

    Cryostasis unit BG12. Commence cryostasis for 33 crew, 25 pods. Authority Sub-Lieutenant Sedor Jarvis.





    Log #1012 – 0 / 11 / 14 / 09:12:09

    Critical bio-reading alert for Ship Captain Josephine Conrad-Arunsun. Initiating remote trauma protocol in aorta implant DJ22.

    Trauma protocol failed.


    Log #1013 – 0 / 11 / 14 / 09:12:30

    Communication underway with Sub-Lieutenant Sedor Jarvis.

    Confirmed receipt of request to transfer primary authority for all ship systems to Sub-Lieutenant Sedor Jarvis.

    Unconventional request – requesting quorum vote of main Steering Committee.

    Security Chief Ghenz Marconi – response received: Aye.

    Communications Lead Gabriel Zen – response received: Aye.

    Chief Operations Officer Heri Samosen – response received: Aye.

    Request accepted and actioned.


    Log #1014 - 0 / 11 / 14 / 09:12:40

    Critical bio-reading alert for Ghenz Marconi. Initiating remote trauma protocol in aorta implant DJ22. Trauma protocol failed.

    Critical bio-reading alert for Gabriel Zen. Initiating remote trauma protocol in aorta implant DJ22. Trauma protocol failed.

    Critical bio-reading alert for Heri Samosen. Initiating remote trauma protocol in aorta implant DJ22. Trauma protocol failed.





    Log #1787 – 1 / 7 / 10 / 14:41:01

    Breach in cryostasis unit BG12. 28 fatalities, 5 critical.

    2 fatalities, 3 critical.

    3 fatalities.





    Log #1799 - 1 / 7 / 10 / 23:04:42

    Communication underway with Resource vice-Chair Ando Claris.

    Confirmed Marie Claris previously in cryostasis unit BG12 pod 4. Confirmed deceased.

    Confirmed Devan Claris and Amie Claris previously in cryostasis unit BG12 pod 5. Confirmed deceased.

    Received location request - Sedor Jarvis located in Jarvis sector AE-1.





    Log #1832 – 1 / 7 / 12 / 09:00:00

    Commencing weekly report to Ship Captain Sedor Jarvis, Chief Operations Officer Luis Jarvis, Security Chief Kalie Jarvis-Stevenson.

    Medical report – last 7 days = 18 deaths, 9 self-inflicted (as per logged & registered Final Will & Testimony, & co-signed waiver of remote trauma protocol)

    Confirmed – 48 crew onboard. 3 in cryostasis.

    Life expectancy estimate – crew in cryostasis: twenty five years, eight months. Crew not in cryostasis: eleven months, eight days.

    Time for light-speed SOS communication to emergency relay beacon SZK-Chis99: Seventeen years (exact time for SOS message: 17 / 0 / 9 / 14:26:36).


    Log #1833 – 1 / 08 / 1 / 10:13:44

    Commenced emergency systems shutdown of North and East sectors. Minimal life support function only.. Authority Captain Sedor Jarvis.





    Log #2003 – 1 / 11 / 18 / 02:43:59

    Confirmed 33 crew onboard. 3 in cryostasis.

    Received location request - Ando Claris located in utility gangway K, Jarvis sector DD2.


    Log #2004 - 1 / 11 / 18 / 02:48:02

    Major failure in life support channel AMI28, Jarvis sector DD2.

    Multiple failures reported in life support lines in Jarvis sector BB, CE, CT, DA, DB, DC, DD.

    Explosion detected in oxygen support lines Jarvis sector. 18 fatalities.


    Log #2005 - 1 / 11 / 18 / 02:53:40

    Received location request - Sedor Jarvis located in Bridge 2, main deck.


    Log #2006 - 1 / 11 / 18 / 02:55:01

    Received location request - Ando Claris located in utility gangway A, sector BB.

    Confirmed 15 crew on board. 3 in cryostasis.





    Log #2038 - 1 / 11 / 20 / 14:03:30

    Confirmed 5 crew on board. 0 in cryostasis.


    Log #2039 - 1 / 11 / 20 / 20:18:04

    Received location request - Sedor Jarvis located in Bridge 2, main deck.

    Received location request - Luis Jarvis located in Bridge 2, main deck.

    Received location request - Kalie Jarvis-Stevenson in Hub hall sector BY.


    Log #2040 - 1 / 11 / 23 / 23:09:04

    Critical bio-reading alert for Kalie Jarvis-Stevenson. Confirmed deceased.

    Critical bio-reading alert for Tomo Stevenson. Confirmed deceased.


    Log #2041 - 1 / 11 / 23 / 23:11:02

    Received location request - Ando Claris located in Hub hall sector BY.


    Log #2042 - 1 / 11 / 23 / 23:30:01

    Received location request - Sedor Jarvis located in Hub hall sector BA.


    Log #2043 - 1 / 11 / 23 / 23:40:44

    Explosion detected in Hub hall sector BQ.

    Critical bio-reading alert for Luis Jarvis. Confirmed deceased.

    Received location request - Sedor Jarvis located in Hub hall sector BT.


    Log #2044 - 1 / 11 / 23 / 23:55:02

    Critical bio-reading alert for Ando Claris.


    Log #2045 - 1 / 11 / 23 / 23:55:11

    Correction. Ando Claris bio-interface implant & power unit implant have been removed. Sub-dermal locator implant has been removed.


    Log #2046 - 1 / 12 / 1 / 00:00:04

    Received location request. Cannot process request - Ando Claris location unknown.


    Log #2047 - 1 / 12 / 1 / 00:00:18

    Communication underway with Ship Captain Sedor Jarvis.

    Received request to shut down all life support systems, excluding Jarvis sector AE and cryostasis unit BG12. Sole Steering Committee representative authority - Ship Captain Sedor Jarvis.

    Scan complete - no bio-interface markers detected. Initiating diversion of all life support systems.


    Log #2048 - 1 / 12 / 1 / 00:14:32

    Emergency override activated Jarvis sector BE2. Confirmed access to emergency equipment cache BE2 - authority Resource vice-Chair Ando Claris.


    Log #2049 - 1 / 12 / 1 / 00:59:03

    Critical bio-reading alert for Sedor Jarvis. Initiating remote trauma protocol in aorta implant DJ22. Trauma protocol successful.

    Critical bio-reading alert for Sedor Jarvis. Initiating remote trauma protocol in aorta implant DJ22. Trauma protocol successful.

    Critical bio-reading alert for Sedor Jarvis. Confirmed deceased.


    ...


    Log #8433 - 18 / 08 / 10 / 23:26:36

    SOS message estimated to have reached emergency relay beacon SZK-Chis99.





    Log #8490 - 18 / 08 / 13 / 01:40:43

    Communication received from Sirius Mapier IV - Class ANV Liner.

    Confirmed boarding request.

    Initiating docking procedures.

    Confirmed 1 crewmember onboard. Initiating release from cryostasis.

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