The door to Musk’s office was always open, but rarely breached. Like his father, Tau spent hours immersing himself in just about anything that tickled his brain. Fortunately, it wasn’t his family’s “X” business or any of the other online social media hell holes that had come and gone over the years. Neither was it political news. What he found fascinating was science, which was just what the Mars colony needed in their leader.

A shadow in his door caught Tau’s eye. He waved them in.

“Reports from our support units on earth.” The aide said.

“Why don’t you just send me the files?”

“Uh. I did. You haven’t replied.”

“Oh.” Tau grunted. “You could have had Grokenstein remind me.”

The aide snorted. Grok had been Tau’s father’s first attempt at artificial intelligence. Later iterations had been created, each synthetic brain an improvement on his first. The last upgrade had some interesting consequences, including the A.I.’s use of twentieth century slang. Tau’s father had christened the Martian computer Grokenstein and typical of anything his dad touched, it somehow worked. Even the A.I. liked its nickname.

“Yes, I could have had Grok contact you, but that’s not the only reason I’m here. Dr. Yang sent a message. He wants you to contact him when it’s convenient.”

Tau smiled. Speaking with his Chinese counterpart was always an enjoyable conversation. No doubt, he was interested in the American colony’s plans for survival.

“Thank you, Willow. I’ll make the call.”

The Americans weren’t the only inhabitants on the red planet. China followed Musk’s journey not long after New Pretoria had been established. India followed later but had a much smaller imprint.

Tau initiated his neural implant.

“Grokenstein.”

“Hello, Tau-man. What’s happenin’ my brother?”

Tau rolled his eyes. “Really, Grok? Now it’s twentieth century American television sitcoms?”

“What you talkin’ bout Tau-lis”

“OK. OK. Grokenstein, I need you to connect me with Dr. Yang over at the Lián colony.”

“Yes, Master.” Grok replied in his best I Dream of Jeannie voice.

Why does everything my dad touches have to be so…

Tau’s thoughts were interrupted when his vid-screen snapped on. Dr. Tsung Yang’s face appeared over the Marslink satellite network.

“Ah. Dr. Musk. How are you doing?”

“Busy. Too busy if you know what I mean. I’m sure it’s the same for you.”

“This infection is not good.” Yang replied. “I’ve seen the video images.”

“Yeah. We hope it burns itself out before it reaches your country, but I don’t think it will.”

“Our scientists concur. The rate of spread is impressive. There may not be enough time for the virus to become less lethal. Plus, we don’t know how susceptible it is to mutation.”

“More bad news.” Tau added. “Mutation rates are slightly below the 10-8 range.”

“Are you sure about this?” Yang groaned. “Less than one in a hundred million?”

“As best as our A.I. can judge.” Tau replied. “This virus is stable and small enough to limit its susceptibility to mutation. There just aren’t any chains that are prone to replacement or fracture.”

“Then, we are in trouble.” Dr. Yang replied.

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

“Well, I do have some positive news.” Tau said. “Our hydrogen harvesting project has been rather successful, so our fusion reactors will have plenty of fuel.”

“So, Jupiter’s moon has sufficient hydrogen to harvest?”

“Yes, it does. Although, we want to increase the size of our capturing net, that way we can reduce the number of atmospheric approaches. The hydrogen density a hundred meters from Ganymede’s surface is almost 10,000 per cubic centimeter.”

Yang laughed. “I wondered why you called the probe Ice Shaver. Sometimes, my translator does not do justice to your nicknames.”

“In this case, it did an exemplary job. We’re scraping the surface with each pass. The images are quite impressive. Would you like me to pass them along to you?”

“Are you joking? Of course. We would all love to see that.”

“Grok.” Tau said.

“It’s Grokenstein to you.”

“I see your father designed your A.I. matrix.” Yang chuckled.

“Would he let anyone else touch it?”

“I suppose not.”

“OK. Grokenstein. Please send the video images from Ice Shaver to Dr. Yang.”

“Yes, Master.”

“Are you sure you won’t get in trouble sharing that with me?”

“No. I’m going to be fine. As far as I can tell, there’s no more American government. We’re on our own. My father was right.”

“Unless the human race seeds itself out to the stars, it will become extinct. Or something to that effect.” Yang added. “Wise words.”

“Prophetic words.” Tau added.

“Speaking of your father, how is he doing?”

“His life-extension treatments are doing well. For a man over a hundred years old, he’s remarkably spry.”

“Is he still playing his video game?”

“Diablo? Yes, although he’s still frustrated at one particular level. Apparently, one of his characters is unable to beat the final boss, no matter how he upgrades it.”

Yang laughed. “It is the Druid. I know it well.”

“You too, huh?” Tau smirked.

“Yes. Diablo Redux. It is sitting on our server.”

“I’ll pass that along to Baba. He might want to play a co-op game with you.”

Yang’s eyes lit up. “That would be most appreciated. No one here plays for shit.”

Tau roared with laughter. Yang’s eyes twinkled as he too smiled.

“You two will get along great.”

“Thank you. Please give him my regards. If there is anything we can do to help, let me know.”

“I appreciate that.” Tau said, then hesitated.

“It doesn’t look like we’ll be getting resupplied from earth, anytime soon.” Tau continued. “We’re on our own. I have a list of essential items that we’re able to produce along with a list of supplies we aren’t able to make yet. I’ll have Grok send it to you. Anything you need that we can provide, we will be happy to share.”

“That is most generous.” Yang said with a slight nod of his head. “I too have a list that we can share. I am glad we are together in this time of weiji.”

“Weiji… Crisis. That is a good name for what we’ve unleashed. There is a saying in the United States that the written Chinese word for crisis is the symbol for danger next to the symbol for opportunity.”

“Close enough.” Yang replied. “It is a combination of danger and point of deflection. A crisis can open the world to change. I believe that is what we are dealing with right now.”

“Grokenstein. Please send Dr. Yang our list of supplies, including shortages.”

“Done, dude. And we have received their list as well.”

“Please take care, Dr. Yang. We don’t have many neighbors left.”

“Agreed. There is just one more thing we need to do.”

“Contact the Indians.” Tau sighed.

“Should we draw straws?”

“No. I’ll do it. They dislike me a little less than they dislike you.”

“You are a gentleman, Tau Musk. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. And just so there is no confusion, when I ask you for a favor, you owe me for this. The colonel can be difficult.”

“I do officially acknowledge that debt.” Yang said grinning. “And please, have your father call me.”

“It’s on my to do list. I promise.”

“Zài jiàn.” Yang said.

“Until we meet again.” Tau replied.

“Later Dude.” Grokenstein added.

“Hang Ten, Grokenstein.” Yang smirked, just as he cut the feed.

“I like him.” The A.I. said.

“So do I.” Tau replied, before getting a sour look on his face. “Now, please connect me with Colonel Shivaji.”

“Bummer.” Grokenstein groaned. “That dude’s a real drag.”

Meanwhile, the rest of the world was beginning its final decent. Where the virus settled, the earth itself seethed as plants and animals devolved or died. Even where the virus had yet to make its appearance, people and nations felt the freedom to settle old scores. Mankind only needed the excuse of death to devolve into spiteful, dangerous predators.

Who needs a viral apocalypse when good old-fashioned prejudice and religious intolerance would do.