The Manhattan Incident Read online

  THE

  MANHATTAN

  INCIDENT

  Raymond P. Poincelot

  Copyright © 2014 by Raymond P. Poincelot

  All rights reserved.

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  I thank my partner Betsy Gardner for her loving and editorial support throughout the writing of this book. Thank you to my son, Daniel Poincelot, for the cover design.

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  1. Present Day: Post Incident Five Years

  2. VIDEO: THE INCIDENT, DAY 1 THROUGH 3, PI

  3. VIDEO: THE INCIDENT, DAY 3 THROUGH 4, PI

  4. VIDEO: THE INCIDENT, DAY 5 THROUGH 7, PI

  5. VIDEO: THE INCIDENT, WEEKS TWO THROUGH FOUR, PI

  6. VIDEO: THE INCIDENT, MONTHS TWO AND THREE, PI

  7. VIDEO: THE INCIDENT, MONTH THREE TO THE FIRST YEAR, PI

  8. VIDEO: THE INCIDENT, YEAR ONE THROUGH FIVE, AND YEAR SIX, PRESENT TIME, PI

  9. YEAR SIX, REAL TIME, PI

  10. YEAR SIX, PRESENT TIME, PI. COOPER’S MOVE

  11. YEAR SEVEN, PRESENT TIME, RETURN ENGAGEMENT

  LIST OF MAJOR AND MINOR CHARACTERS IN ORDER OF THEIR APPEARANCE

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  1. Present Day: Post Incident Five Years

  His name is Paul Laurent. He didn’t always use that name, but that’s getting ahead of my story. Suffice it to say he was also John Cabrot. Some five years ago in 2020, humankind suffered the largest-ever disaster and loss of human life. We are still recovering from it. At first we called this disaster the Manhattan Incident after its first known location. In time we realized that similar incidents occurred at many different locations around the world at more or less the same time. Now the disaster is known simply as The Incident. Hopefully, we’ll make it and be ready for the next Incident. But if not, let this record be left behind as a warning to those survivors who read it. Hopefully they will be better prepared than we were. No one saw it coming. Even if we did, I’m not sure we would have fared any better. As the record unfolds, it starts in present time five years after THE INCIDENT. But, you ask, where did it all start? That’s a good question. Let’s go there first.

  The unrealized beginning took place on New Year’s Day, 2012 some eight years before the 2020 incident. That day GRAIL A and B came on line, twin satellites placed in moon orbit by NASA. GRAIL was short for Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory. Their stated purpose was to help scientists understand why the moon is asymmetrical and how it formed. Their instrumentation was designed to map the lunar gravitational field and determine moon contents down to the core. Yes, that was the publically stated purpose. However, the Air Force had added additional state-of-the-art instrumentation to enhance orbital spying of high altitude aircraft and missile tests and satellites from hostile countries such as the People’s Republic of China, Iran, Pakistan, Russia, and North Korea. The secret surveillance data were concealed in the gravitational data stream downloaded to NASA. The data stream was also downloaded to the Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado where NORAD was headquartered. There it was the job of geospatial intelligence technical specialists to decode the buried data stream. The spying equipment was left on at all times, even when the satellites’ orbits covered the dark side of the moon. While it was joked that the instruments were left on to watch for secret bases being built by the Chinese on the dark side, the real reason was that constant on and off might be too damaging to the equipment over time.

  Tech Specialist John Munger was assigned to the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, known as OSI within the Air Force. His specialty was geospatial intelligence and he had been assigned to Region 8 in OSI. Region 8 was designated as AFSPC, short for Air Force Space Command. He was involved in satellite and cyber ops. Being low man on the pole, he was given New Year’s duty when GRAIL A and B went on line. There was very little that he needed to do. The decoding software and data recording was all automated. Munger was bored stupid. He decided to look at the images, which was possible, but above his duties. That was someone else’s job higher up on the tech chain. Munger typed in the view now command. A dialog box popped up. He scanned the short text, Default is session recording, unless you click the deactivate button. Munger did just that, so as to cover his tracks. He smiled to himself and thought, sneaky bastards; they have a way to prevent data entering the base system. It must be for occasions when they wish to hide certain ongoing events that are likely highly sensitive or unauthorized. He looked at the images as GRAIL B just passed into the dark side, knowing the signal would be lost shortly as the signal became blocked by the moon. However, given that GRAIL A was just emerging from the dark side, observational continuity would be maintained.

  Munger was staring at the crater pocked image gradually fading into dark obscurity, when he noted something near the left edge of the moon. It looked like a disk seen at an oblique angle. Munger froze the image on the computer screen and started the visual enhancement software. The enhancement showed grooves that seemed to divide the disk into four pie-shaped units. “What the hell,” he muttered. The image was very brief as the image signal was lost as the object passed further behind the moon. Munger had a problem. If he reported the observation, he was in trouble for viewing material without authorization. Yet, if he didn’t and the Chinese now had an advanced spacecraft, this could be disastrous. Munger knew what he had to do.

  The official Air Force inquiry into the image considered all possibilities. Some had accused Munger of drug or alcohol induced hallucinations, but he was absolved based on blood and urine tests. However, he was reprimanded for unauthorized activity. The thought that it was a Chinese spacecraft was ruled highly unlikely. The final report came down to two possibilities. One, the Chinese had hacked the system and tweaked Uncle Sam’s nose to show their disdain for the USA capabilities. Two, there was some sort of initial software glitch, as the image was not seen on subsequent passages by GRAIL A and B. Lack of recorded data prevented further resolution. The software glitch became the accepted explanation. Munger was passed over for promotion as a result and became the butt of jokes by his colleagues. He received the nickname of “Wedgie”, as at some point in the inquiry he described the disk as having four wedge-shaped parts. Subsequently, Munger requested a transfer outside NORAD, which was denied.

  Truth be known, Munger had seen the first known instance of wormhole technology, but that wouldn’t be known for years to come. Also unknown was that the spacecraft had been there for several months monitoring Earth communications. It only left because it had been finally observed. Ah, but I stray. Let’s get back to the present for now.

  THE PRESENT, WINTER 2025. “So, Science Councilor Dr. Laurent, let’s go over the results of your physical exam. First, I’m setting you up with Dr. Lars Chapman to remove some precancerous growths on your face.” Not a surprise, he thought, given his many years of hiking and outdoor activity. Dr. Rachel Kofranek continued on. “Other than that, you appear to be in as good health as possible for someone 71 years old. Your bone density scan level is OK, but you must continue to take the calcium citrate and vitamin B complex along with your omeprazole. Do you have any questions?” Having none, he rose and thanked Dr. Kofranek. She smiled and said “No, I should be thanking you. Humanity owes you a lot.”

  As he walked out through the office, the two body guards lingering within earshot at the door moved so that one was in front and the other was behind. Dr. Laurent looked at both of them and said, “Have I told you before how unnecessary this dance is and what a waste of money and your time it is? No one will want to harm me.” “Yes, Doc, a thousand times at least”, Joe Torelli and Lisa Stockton said in unison with big smiles. It was their private, daily joke. His current name was Paul Laurent. Doc was t
heir friendly nickname for him, having been derived from his having a Ph.D. in epidemiology. The two night guards, Jamal Williams and Liu Ping, enjoyed the same joke with equal frequency, usually during one of Laurent’s nightly walks to the bathroom, often preceded by a dream involving urination. Still, he supposed that some religious extremist might still want to harm him, given one attempt some years ago. There was also the possibility of accidents and the need for quick response. It wouldn’t do to deprive the public of one of its heroes he mused. Hero, my ass he thought. He was just damn lucky to survive and to solve a small part of the puzzle to save humanity. Still, his skill set was still highly valuable and in short supply.

  They climbed into the limousine. It was heavily armored and powered by electric motors. It could be plugged in for recharging, although solar roof panels on the roof and trunk lid kept that need to a minimum. There was also a back-up fuel cell for sudden acceleration, for long term travel, or for periods of cloudy weather. A marvel, he thought, compared to the gas guzzling polluting vehicles prior to THE INCIDENT. Joe and Lisa ignored him, being intent on constant external scanning of the roadside. Sam, the driver, concentrated on the road. All were competent, having been assigned by the military to permanent protective duty. They were like friends, having been with him almost the entire five years since THE INCIDENT. The event five years ago, when he was 66, was engraved upon humanity’s collective awareness, so much so that it was written and thought about always in caps. Even the dating system was changed after THE INCIDENT. Years were now PI, Post Incident. It is now five years and counting, until the next incident. Everyone knew it would happen again and were doing their damndest to be ready. No one wanted to be caught this time with their pants down. That mindset wasn’t only found in the good old USA, but encompassed the world, what was left of it.

  Still things have changed for the better post-incident. The biggest change was world peace and genuine cooperation. There’s nothing like a common enemy to reduce internal strife and external conflicts. The world’s over-riding concern was being prepared for the next incident. Enough resources, food and wealth now existed to keep everyone happy. Everyone could have a vacation house and a car at each place, if they wished that additional responsibility. Laurent’s thoughts were interrupted by a reminder on his P-Com. The machine voice droned on reminding him of the upcoming appointment at the grade 8 classroom in Rutland. His driver had already programmed tomorrow’s trip into the GPS.

  The P-Com was another reminder of change. Now only one communication device, the P-Com, and its service provider, IDS, were available. Both replaced the many competing smart phones and corporate providers marketed in the pre-incident period. P-Com was short for Personal Communication Device or PCD. In short time it simply became the P-Com to everyone. The global provider was International Data Streaming, commonly known as IDS. The P-Com is standardized world-wide and everyone has one. Should another incident be forthcoming, all will be notified at once with the annoying, but effective, civil defense tone alerts used previously on radio and TV test alerts of the old system.

  Each person worldwide has a health monitoring chip implanted under the skin that communicates with the P-Com and speaks to the wearer through a miniaturized blue-tooth device implanted in the ear. The P-Com device served as a combined body health monitor, cell phone, camera, video taker, appointment book, book reader, and personal computer. The P-com not only monitored medical conditions via the chip implant for the wearer, but also alerted the authorities when emergency medical help was needed.

  The P-Com’s reach was truly global. A dense net of numerous small satellites, the Space Net, encircled the globe. Nowhere on Earth was out of its broadcast internet reach. Everyone was connected at no charge by the Space Net. Something good had come out of adversity. English had become the global language for communication, although not everyone was happy with the choice. Still, all agreed, it was the most efficient choice, given its widespread usage and instruction in English as a second language across the globe. English also allowed for a unified command and control of global efforts in defense readiness preparation.

  In fact, all consumer products had become standardized and choices were more limited. Much more efficient usage of resources and elimination of competition for sheer profit had become the norm. Pollution and environmental degradation were going down because of less manufacturing and population decline. In time, global climate change problems would lessen. That freed up large resources in raw materials and labor, sorely needed for the crash program in place to be ready for the next incident. Sometimes Dr. Laurent thought that he missed the wide variety of the past, especially in the fine wines area. On the other hand, how many vintners of malbec, carménère, cabernet sauvignon, tempranillo, albariño, sauvignon blanc, pinot blanc, pinot noir, or chardonnay grapes or blends thereof do you really need? The ones available were good quality. Or for that matter, did we really need the far too many choices of breakfast cereals in the supermarket found before THE INCIDENT?

  In time, the newer generations would accept this recent outcome as the new norm. The idea of many choices would fade as the older generations passed. It crossed Laurent’s mind that the hope of future generations was not assured. Yes, things had improved, but at a huge cost. THE INCIDENT resulted in the loss of roughly 50% of the human race across the globe. The United States fared better, only losing 25% of its population. Places with overcrowding and great poverty fared much worse. While devastating, all took small comfort in that it wasn’t worse. Pressures caused by population on resources and the environment changed very quickly under those circumstances. Another cost was the pervasive, collective fear that it could, in fact, will happen again. Such chilling thoughts made him feel weary suddenly such that he looked forward to a glass of wine upon his arrival at home.

  Home was a far cry from his previous small house in Atlanta Georgia and later Rutland Vermont. “Home” was now a very large apartment and office building in what was still known as Stamford, Connecticut. Of course, this was no ordinary apartment. There were sensors everywhere and many surveillance cameras to boot. A back-up generator system was ready to take over smoothly when power failed. Numerous staff, both military guards and office assistants, bustled about. Families of the guards also lived here. They did have a life of their own when not involved in their duties. From this complex Dr. Paul Laurent was the Science Councilor in charge of science and engineering efforts worldwide, which included the science education system from beginning to end. Science was looked at as the savior for what all thought would be coming someday. A significant part of his operation was to identify promising students, especially in the sciences, engineering, and math. Much of that function and other tasks were left to his assistants here and around the world. As leader of the operation, he was very busy keeping up with administrative tasks, logistics, and long range global planning. Still, a few times a year, he delighted in field trips to schools, where he personally would make selections from lists of promising students. Hence the trip tomorrow to the eighth grade class in a Rutland Vermont school. He was most happy when he had his hand in the selection process.

  Regardless of who did the numerous trips to all the remaining grade schools worldwide, the protocol was the same. It always started off with showing a documentary entitled “THE INCIDENT.” Its purpose was two-fold. One, it ensured new generations of youth would never forget the horror of THE INCIDENT. Two, it was meant to instill patriotic fervor for the goal of all working together for a common goal. It was but one aspect of Global Remembrance Week full of poignant ceremonies to honor those who died and those who led the current defensive efforts. Humanity would never forget those who perpetrated THE INCIDENT.

  The history depicted in the DVD was more or less correct, but certain liberties were taken. The major historical individuals were accurate down to their real names. Laurent knew that very well, as he was one of those persons in the DVD. His role was played by an actor, as were all the roles. The actors were g
enerally more muscled and handsome or more beautiful than the real people. After all, the hero image was important, according to the PR types and psychologists that were consulted during the filming of the DVD. Another difference was that their mistakes were not noted; they always seemed to know exactly how to respond. Of course, they never showed fear. A hero wouldn’t. Vignettes were some times composites to show approximately what happened during the bad times. They were mostly true to life, being based on surviving documents, eye witness testimony, cellphone videos, blog dialogues, and circumstantial evidence. Vignettes vary as there are country specific versions of the DVD. The salvation hero, Dr. John Cabrot, and military hero, General Tyler Straub, are constants in all country versions.

  Oh, and some died heroically saving the day or countless lives. That’s what heroes did. Some did survive, but a few of their identities were changed. Saving humanity wasn’t appreciated by everyone. Some religious extremists took a different view. Those with new identities and the few who knew kept the secret, given the urgent need to be ready for another incident. Time was of the essence. They could not afford to fritter away time with demands from the media or congressional circuses, not to mention assassination attempts by some of those religious nutcases. It didn’t hurt that they were given important roles in the readiness effort. Those who gave much, even their identity, wanted for no creature comforts and were guarded around the clock. What his former name was no longer mattered. He accepted that he was now Paul Laurent, Science Councilor to the Earth First Council, EFC for short.

  Laurent and his guards entered the main entrance. The desk guard gave them a smart salute. Down a long hallway they went. At the end, Laurent brought his eye up to the scanner and the door slid open. It was not an ordinary door. Not only bullet proof, but it could handle a small explosive charge. Ridiculous, he thought. What a waste. As the door opened, he was nearly bowled over by a leaping pit bull named Roxanne. She sat promptly when he roared “Sit.” Laurent let her lick his extended hand and then reached into his pocket and pulled out the mandatory treat. Roxanne wolfed it down and ran off. She promptly returned with a donut toy. Laurent obligingly pulled and tugged. Eventually Roxanne released it and he threw it vigorously. Back came Roxanne with the toy. A few more cycles of pull, tug, throw and return happened. Laurent loved Roxanne. She had probably saved his life. He would play with her anytime she wanted, although she was slowing down, being middle-aged. He was glad that Roxanne was still around.