MNet: Asking Alice Special Episode 2 “Adaptogens & Evacuations”
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Asking Alice Special Episode 2 “Adaptogens & Evacuations”
Originally Published on January 12th, 2492
an ONN HoloNET production
The catchy intro song and swooping graphics indicate this is a special edition of the popular medical talk show Asking Alice, endorsed by numerous sponsors from New Geneva to Gigabites. The camera opens on Alice with a stunning view of Cocoon station over her shoulder and her well-known amiable expression.
| "Good Morning and welcome to a special edition of Asking Alice. As you can see, I'm here at my home on Cocoon Station, rather than in the studio and I'll explain a bit more about why that is, and why today's planned taping had to be canceled. Of course, I apologize to all of my scheduled guests and audience, and hope that we can reschedule that for you again soon. In the meantime, Today's broadcast is a bit of good news and bad news, but it's definitely special, and so I appreciate your attention. I'll start with the good news first." |
The camera switches to GTT Hospital, Alice, Gigabites cup in hand starts her explanation with her typical friendly teacher-like air.
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"Outbreaks of disease in sky cities and space stations are pretty normal. Anytime you have a lot of people in containers, and we all do live in containers, it's just going to create a vector for disease. We've developed some astounding immunities since the Transcendence War, as we have adapted to our lives with less space, and we've also developed some incredible medicines to treat and prevent outbreaks when they happen. That said? They absolutely do still happen. And Genetectic has a process to step in and assist with these outbreaks. They are rarely newsworthy, and we mostly just let folks in the community know that this has cropped up, so mask up, wash your hands more, and we'll get a vaccine developed as soon as possible. And normally that's exactly how it works out. We get a sample of the contagion, analyze it in the lab, and develop the counteragents and vaccines to treat it when people get it, and to prevent people from catching it. It works well enough most of the time, but when a disease mutates, we have to start that whole analysis and development process over again, and change our medication to defeat the new version. Which usually means booster shots, or having to dispose of medication you've bought that's no longer effective. Which is money most people can't afford to waste. So it's with real pride that I'm pleased to announce that New Geneva has issued the patents and approval for a new kind of drug developed by Genetectic Labs. These drugs, called Adaptogens, are able to detect mutated versions of the illness they're designed to fight, and can continue to be effective against infections even when they mutate. Basically? No more booster shots. Adding Adaptogens to your disease prevention regimen when needed will protect you against that disease for the rest of your life. No more booster shots, no more symptomatic infections. That said? Developing an Adaptogen for a specific disease is expensive. The technology is very new; developed thanks to the collection and analysis efforts of Gentectic's facilities on Luna. The Adaptogen Option is currently only available to GTT Gold and higher coverage plans inclusively. GTT Silver and Copper can purchase the Adaptogen Option at a reduced cost. And, while vaccines are free to all under New Geneva Humane Policies, Adaptigens are not yet classified as covered under that policy. But, standard vaccines are still available. All of that said, this is still an outstanding stride forward in humanity's continued survival, and while the option is expensive now, once the patent runs out, capitalist competition will make it more available. We're going to take a quick commercial break, and when we get back, we're going to talk about the bad news, and what impact Jericho V will have on you." |
[COMMERCIAL BREAK]
The show cuts to commercial, one of them advertising Alice's Holiday special show with her father, a famously angry celebrity chef with several TV Shows and restaurants from his palatial home with a dizzying list of celebrity appearances. No wonder Alice has seemed tired to those who know her.
The show cuts back Onto the roof of the hospital on Cocoon Station. Alice still rocking her Gigabites cup, which has clearly seen some use.
| "As I'm sure you've heard, the sky city, Jericho V has diverted its orbit and is on a possible collision course with several colonies, not yet accounting for the break up and fragment trajectories. If you are on one of the affected stations, please, check your Interlink for instructions. Some colonies will be able to deflect or defeat an impact, others can't and are being evacuated. Genetectic Health and Trauma Team employees will help you get onto an evacuation vessel, and will receive you at your assigned refuge station.
If you are unable to evacuate, take shelter in an airtight compartment. Each station has SIP kits distributed at intervals that can be sealed into secure air-tight compartments. These have oxygen tanks, food and water, insulation, battery and heat for up to five days in space without power. Though that varies based on the size of your compartment, and the number of people and kits available within your compartment. Check your station info for the nearest Shelter in Place location, and make plans to get there if you are told to brace for impact. After the impact, try to connect to the net as soon as you can to get your IP out there. Keep pinging, so that rescuers can find you and get you to safety. If you have evacuated and are in a refugee shelter on a different station, I very much suggest something similar. Get on the net and reach out. But be patient with the traffic. We'll get things back to normal as soon as possible. I can promise you that. And if you need help filing insurance claims or getting relocated the refugee shelters will have the resources to help. SolBank is waiving fees on a lot of money transfers, to make it easier to send money to your friends or family to help them out, or if you need their help. Genetectic Healthcare and Trauma Team Personnel are remaining on impacted stations until final evacuations, so you can reach out to us for assistance up to the last. We will mobilize rescue efforts from the nearby stations as soon as we can clear a safe navigation route into the debris field. And if you happen to be a freelance pilot? Please contact Gentectic for rescue contracts. We will absolutely need the extra help. I'm sorry for this news. I know that several efforts have been made to take control of and divert Jericho V, but nothing's worked so far. I don't know if ARES will be stepping in to eliminate the station before an impact. I only know that the right thing to tell you to do is to brace for this to have an impact. And to be kind. To yourselves, and to each other. Thank you. And good luck to us all." |
The camera takes just a hair too long to cut off, just enough time to see Alice's expression start to shift from its amiable pleasantness to something more focused.
[THE SHOW CUTS TO CREDITS, AND THE SCROLL OF SPONSORS, MOST OF WHOM ARE HEALTHCARE COMPANIES.]