MNet: Asking Alice Special Episode 3 “Priority Broadcast”
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Asking Alice Special Episode 3 “Priority Broadcast”
Originally Published on February 27th, 2492
an ONN HoloNET production
The jaunty little intro spans a brief recap of the Jericho V tragedy that is still ongoing, and the reports of attacks from animated corpses within the wreckage. The death toll continues to scroll in a corner past the 9 million mark. Alice appears in her office, the softer edges of the setting her normal approach when she is about to explain something complex. These episodes tend to have an even more patient acceptance and slower pace than normal, and this one is no different.
| “Good morning, and thank you for joining me for this special edition of Asking Alice. I'm relieved to report that there is a light at the end of this very dark, long tunnel we have universally been moving through. The cost of Jericho V takes a toll on all of humanity. The loss of life alone is likely in the double-percentages of humanity's total population and that toll will be felt for generations. To add insult to an already grave injury, an experimental agent was released into Jericho V at some point that reanimates victims after they've died organically, and drives them to remove all obstacles to a goal they can never attain. The macabre, cruel infestation has only taken more lives, as teams of volunteers and professionals have worked tirelessly to excavate the impact sites in hopes of finding survivors who are attacked by the remains they've been trying to recover.
That agent, we've called Ghostwalker.” |
The scene shifts to the Genetectic Labs on Luna.
| “Ghostwalker is a new classification of nanotechnology that we can only describe as a nanovirus, in that it is both too simple to be classified as a nanite, but inorganic in nature, so it cannot truly be a virus.
This stuff on its own, isn't necessarily dangerous aside from the fact that it's made of heavy metals and is likely to trash an organic liver pretty quickly. What changed that was a signal being delivered from one infected to those around them, originating in someone's Interlink. That signal encouraged the replication of the nanovirus around the Interlink relay to spread that signal. The combination of those things is like two pieces from different puzzles fitting together, and, with a sudden very ready supply of recently organically deceased victims, it was the perfect storm to create this circumstance.” |
The Scene cuts briefly to footage of those encounters from different impact sites around the Sol System before it cuts to Alice again.
| “Genetectic happened to be uniquely equipped, though, to address this threat. And we have, with Reapex - The Adaptigen-based treatment for the Ghostwalker Nanovirus.
Reapex neutralizes Ghostwalker's ability to send and receive signals and commands. Rendered inert, the Nanovirus can be naturally filtered out of the system. We've had fantastic success with this treatment when delivered before the point of organic death. That said, there's some things to be cautious of. If the infection has progressed far enough, removing the nanovirus will cause damage that may need to be repaired surgically. Infected with an organic liver will likely need dialysis to cleanse the heavy metals from their bloodstream safely. But again, Reapex is working. Unfortunately, it can't bring back someone who has died from Ghostwalker, it simply keeps them from re-animating. We can't provide Reapex as a preventative, and we're working on different treatments to prevent infection with Ghostwalker. But if you or someone you know has become infected, please, refer them to any Genetectic Facility or personnel for treatment. In the meantime, as we complete excavation and repair, your assistance in giving these poor souls the final rest they deserve is appreciated. Disabling the Interlink will disrupt the signal. There will be opportunities to volunteer and assist as we clean up the remaining impact sites and prepare to assist at site X-17 for its pending impact later today. Please, be careful, stay safe, and be good to yourselves and each other.” |
[THE SHOW CUTS TO CREDITS, AND THE SCROLL OF SPONSORS, MOST OF WHOM ARE ELITE CORPORATIONS.]