Dec 11th, 2010 a large rocky meteor breaks up over eastern coast of the US scattering a fine gray ash across most of New York, DC and New Jersey. Meteorite collectors racing to collect bits of rock notice some unusual properties of the few chunks found. The rock appears oily to the touch and creates a brief tingling sensations.
Within a few days mass number of mysterious comas are reported in the effected area. About the same time scientists looking at the collected rocks determine that the rock is permeated with what appear to be nanites. Further investigation reveals that the people affected have large number of nanites in their brains. Nanite count indicates they are reproducing in the body. A few quick tests show that people exposed to the nanites are "contagious" well before coma sets in and that most of the people in the effected area are likely infected. Since exposure thousands of people have flown to all parts of the world from the major airports in the area.
As the government what would you do?
Quote from: VarajAs the government what would you do?
It's too late.
Isolate a sample for study.
Isolate an uninfected sample of the populace.
Hope you find a "cure".
Quote from: CyclotronIt's too late.
Isolate a sample for study.
Isolate an uninfected sample of the populace.
Hope you find a "cure".
How would you isolate the sample of uninfected populace?
Well, I've already got a full blown pandemic on my hands. I'm screwed in that aspect, I can't think of a way to contain it. I would start whatever initiates I thought would keep the populace calm and not rioting or freaking out.
I would try and grab some of the earliest exposed, those at ground zero and have the doctors who treated the coma problem work via telecommunications with the best people I could find to try and determine what the nanties were doing. My goal is to safely restore to health those infected. If we can't find a way to disable, or live with the nantie infection we are screwed. They are self replicating and already world wide spread.
Quote from: Xavier LangWell, I've already got a full blown pandemic on my hands. I'm screwed in that aspect, I can't think of a way to contain it. I would start whatever initiates I thought would keep the populace calm and not rioting or freaking out.
I would try and grab some of the earliest exposed, those at ground zero and have the doctors who treated the coma problem work via telecommunications with the best people I could find to try and determine what the nanties were doing. My goal is to safely restore to health those infected. If we can't find a way to disable, or live with the nanite infection we are screwed. They are self replicating and already world wide spread.
After about a week in coma patients revive and appear healthy. Nanite infection is heaviest in the brain with nanite structures attaching to neurons. They appear to attempting to match the brain structure.
Just outside DC and also in upper state New York another variant of nanite is discovered. This one appears to be building a structure. Growth is only a few millimeters a day but seems to be accelerating.
Cordon off the area. at this point, the military will be running a lot of the show. they'll probably want to try and use some form of incendiary device to burn out the nanite colony structure. I'd let 'em.
Martial Law. all citizens must remain in their homes at all times, and streets will be patrolled by the military. All coma victims who have woken up will be transported to a holding area (maybe commandeering one of the larger sports arenas).
First we would spend time panicking and screaming.
After we got that out of our system, we would attempt to study the nanites and the earliest infected subjects. We would concentrate on trying to find out exactly what the nanites do, since the contagion is almost certainly uncontrollable at this point.
We would also attempt to figure out what the structure is going to be, but we fear that it will be completed before we know what it is (if we even do then). We will ready the military, but we are far from confident that anything short of a nuclear attack would be successful. And nuclear weapons would not affect nanites working in other areas.
We need more information, but we fear we will not be able to gather it before the wee beasties have completed their tasks, whatever they may be.
This is why Threashold didn't work for me it was already to late and the response wasn't as heavy handed or hamfisted as it would be IRL.
Since its to late to contain you study the infection and try and figure out what is happening cause at this point that would be what you could prepare for.
I'd play the game or read the book though.
Destruction of the growing structures is relatively easily with high temperatures. It takes a couple of weeks but soon new structures start growing in nearby areas.
Coma rates appear to be close to 1% of the affected population. Within two months of the first reported case there has been over 1 million nanite induced comas reported. After reviving, average coma time 3 days, victems report feeling better than they every have before; extra energy, better mood, clearer thinking.
Quote from: LimperThis is why Threashold didn't work for me it was already to late and the response wasn't as heavy handed or hamfisted as it would be IRL.
Since its to late to contain you study the infection and try and figure out what is happening cause at this point that would be what you could prepare for.
I'd play the game or read the book though.
Not familiar with the book?
Quote from: VarajNot familiar with the book?
That was a reference to if this were a book I'd read it... interesting story line.
Quote from: LimperThat was a reference to if this were a book I'd read it... interesting story line.
Hmmm... I'm a horrible writer. :)
I was thinking of using it as a base for a game. Not sure what system to use yet. I was hoping to use this thread to help flush out back story and start the actual game 2015 or so.
Quote from: VarajHmmm... I'm a horrible writer. :)
I was thinking of using it as a base for a game. Not sure what system to use yet. I was hoping to use this thread to help flush out back story and start the actual game 2015 or so.
GURPS would cover it if it isn't High Fantasy but for ease BRP is always my favorite.
Quote from: LimperGURPS would cover it if it isn't High Fantasy but for ease BRP is always my favorite.
I always enjoyed Chaosium's CoC so it could be a very viable system for it.
I don't know if you'd want to go to this much trouble, but this would make a nice, informal, short PbP scenario. You could have players take the roles of different parts of the government and react to the scenario.
Might be more than you want to do, but it would be fun. :)
Goal #1 - Prevent my nation/world from panicking.
Spin the coma recover as positive as possible.
Keep the most advanced infection cases under survelliance. Show them the structures and see if any of them have an ideas or feelings about them.
If we get nothing from showing them pictures/video, bring one or two of the advanced infected to the site of the construction and see if we get anything.
Take some of the structure for testing. What is it? What are its basic properties since its purpose is beyond anything but guesswork at this time?
Try and find some infected individuals that I have a significant phsychological data on and begin reevaluating them looking for changes on a regular basis.
Coma victims show slight changes in psych profiles. To a one they report show signs of better mood and increased energy. Almost borderline manic.
They also show a remarkable resistance to disease. From all appearance severe nanite infection is beneficial.
Study of the small areas of the structure appear to show nanites configuring themselves into some sort of solid state device. Gates and pathways are apparent. Some of the large enough to handle large amounts of power.
Was anybody suggestion let the structures grow?
Quote from: CyberzombieI don't know if you'd want to go to this much trouble, but this would make a nice, informal, short PbP scenario. You could have players take the roles of different parts of the government and react to the scenario.
Might be more than you want to do, but it would be fun. :)
Tempting.
Are the infected eating a lot more? If the nanites are building then they need material and the elevated mood and metabolism would be pretty unusual.
Quote from: LimperAre the infected eating a lot more? If the nanites are building then they need material and the elevated mood and metabolism would be pretty unusual.
Slight increase in appetite and slight change in foods appearing to need specific mineral and metal content. It is suspected that specialized nanites harvest molecules from items they touch for prolonged periods.
Quote from: VarajWas anybody suggestion let the structures grow?
This was our suggestion. We are more curious than paranoid, though, so we would make a lousy government official in a horror flick -- we would not stick to the stereotype.
We would analyze it, largely because we are certain we could not destroy all the nanites and that they could just start building another one (or more than one). Better to figure out what it is -- the world as we know it has already ended; we need information on what world we are in now.
Quote from: VarajSlight increase in appetite and slight change in foods appearing to need specific mineral and metal content. It is suspected that specialized nanites harvest molecules from items they touch for prolonged periods.
Do they exit the body harvest and return?
Quote from: LimperDo they exit the body harvest and return?
More grab molecules that are in skin contact.
Quote from: VarajMore grab molecules that are in skin contact.
So eyeglasses, rings and watches are an accessory of the past for these people.
Quote from: RedcapThis was our suggestion. We are more curious than paranoid, though, so we would make a lousy government official in a horror flick -- we would not stick to the stereotype.
We would analyze it, largely because we are certain we could not destroy all the nanites and that they could just start building another one (or more than one). Better to figure out what it is -- the world as we know it has already ended; we need information on what world we are in now.
The objects are phone booth in size with a sliding door type mechanism. Best anaylsis gives a we have no idea for the end functionality.
Quote from: LimperSo eyeglasses, rings and watches are an accessory of the past for these people.
Decay rate is very, very slow. Nanites seem to be mostly built from carbon molecules so organic food provides much of the growth needs.
Quote from: VarajDecay rate is very, very slow. Nanites seem to be mostly built from carbon molecules so organic food provides much of the growth needs.
There could be substantial economic impact if it required certain food items that didn't get much love before this happened. Just an interesting sidebar that makes these things seem more real to the participants.
A players family could have gotten rich off of selling something that was suddenly in HUGE demand or from the stocks of a company that did.
One year into from contact infection rate of humans is assumed to be 100%. Estimated number of coma victims is still about 1% or 60 million humans. Non-Humans are assumed to have a similar infection rate. No animal with a brain/body ratio much smaller than humans appears to suffer from coma like symptoms. Most primates and many whale species to have a similar coma rate. Large whale kills are reported from drownings.
Quote from: LimperThere could be substantial economic impact if it required certain food items that didn't get much love before this happened. Just an interesting sidebar that makes these things seem more real to the participants.
A players family could have gotten rich off of selling something that was suddenly in HUGE demand or from the stocks of a company that did.
Very good point. Metal rich vegetables that nobody likes soar in price. :)
If everyone is healthier there could be a crash in the medical industry.
Quote from: LimperIf everyone is healthier there could be a crash in the medical industry.
Only about 1% is healthier so I doubt it would be a large impact. In the US I think the insurance industries can afford a 1% cut. :p
Quote from: VarajOnly about 1% is healthier so I doubt it would be a large impact. In the US I think the insurance industries can afford a 1% cut. :p
Then does it make any procedures more difficult?
Quote from: LimperThen does it make any procedures more difficult?
Not that anybody is able to determine. Even the few people that have needed brain surgery seem to have no problems.
How do people think the world population would react. I imagine reports would leak out well before official government responses hit. I would not be surprised to see panic and rioting on the streets with greatly increased rates of religious violence and suicides.
It would probably be as you say... but it would be interesting that there are more isolated populations that might be oblivious to the whole thing.
Me personally, my reaction? I'd get real blitzed and wait for the end of the world. I figure even if it doesn't come, when something like this hits, work would probably not hold it against me for not coming in. :)
Quote from: VarajThe objects are phone booth in size with a sliding door type mechanism. Best anaylsis gives a we have no idea for the end functionality.
Interesting. We will watch them carefully to see if any former coma victims come near them.
So only 60 million people fall in to comas? And only they seem to gain the benefits of the nanites? Are they found all over the world, or are they only in the US?
We would focus on the coma victims and study their behaviour. With Homeland Security around, violating their privacy in this way should not be difficult.
Quote from: VarajComa victims show slight changes in psych profiles. To a one they report show signs of better mood and increased energy. Almost borderline manic.
They also show a remarkable resistance to disease. From all appearance severe nanite infection is beneficial.
Study of the small areas of the structure appear to show nanites configuring themselves into some sort of solid state device. Gates and pathways are apparent. Some of the large enough to handle large amounts of power.
Was anybody suggestion let the structures grow?
I would let it grow. I don't know of a way to fight a nanite infection and its a hell of a resource input from earth's point of view to seed the damn things here.
I want to see what it is building. If its nefarious, were screwed anyway, its already a nanite pandemic. Burning the building will only work until one forms under water, or in a cave or some other place we don't notice or can't get to quickly enough due to political reasons.
Quote from: VarajNot that anybody is able to determine. Even the few people that have needed brain surgery seem to have no problems.
How do people think the world population would react. I imagine reports would leak out well before official government responses hit. I would not be surprised to see panic and rioting on the streets with greatly increased rates of religious violence and suicides.
I agree people would go batshit about this, its why preventing/reducing panic would always be my number one priority.
Quote from: RedcapInteresting. We will watch them carefully to see if any former coma victims come near them.
So only 60 million people fall in to comas? And only they seem to gain the benefits of the nanites? Are they found all over the world, or are they only in the US?
We would focus on the coma victims and study their behavior. With Homeland Security around, violating their privacy in this way should not be difficult.
Only about 1% of the population hits coma stage. It appears to be random and is world wide. The only two objects built are both in the US.
No noticeable change in observed victims behavior.
A few nearby victims will attempt to visit the objects from what appears to be curiosity.
Several religious cults world wide have formed around the concept of alien nanites being how God is working through his chosen people. The cultists claim Divine rights as the chosen ones. At this time no real indication of what those rights are.
Would you let a victim step into the devices?
Yes, I would let one of the infected step into the device. I would probably set it up like a science experiment first, so we could gather as much data as possible. The person stepping in would also be one of the more expendable.
As rumors grew, there would probably be a good deal of prejudice and paranoia toward those who had gone into comas, although the details might vary greatly. At the very least, the 99% who didn't get this particular manifestation might feel more suspicious. You should probably make up several slang terms that aren't so nice--botbrain? tinhead?
With 250,000 spread over just the United States, the infection is not staying a secret for any appreciable length of time (although the real cause might stay unknown longer). Someone in the government would need to think of a way to stay ahead of the story--what cover story might be just believeable enough to buy some time to figure out what is going on?
Quote from: willpaxAs rumors grew, there would probably be a good deal of prejudice and paranoia toward those who had gone into comas, although the details might vary greatly. At the very least, the 99% who didn't get this particular manifestation might feel more suspicious. You should probably make up several slang terms that aren't so nice--botbrain? tinhead?
With 250,000 spread over just the United States, the infection is not staying a secret for any appreciable length of time (although the real cause might stay unknown longer). Someone in the government would need to think of a way to stay ahead of the story--what cover story might be just believeable enough to buy some time to figure out what is going on?
I think the nanites would be large enough that any descent medical field could identify them. I don't believe it would stay secret very long at all.
When a coma victim (nat head?) enter one of the objects the door closes for about 15 minutes. Upon coming out the victim describes being pressed to one wall and feeling a strange crawling sensation in their head.
Over the next few days they start having dreams of schematics, flashes of designs. Nothing complete and slightly different for each person that enters. Scans of their brain show that a larger nanite structure is forming in the base of the skull.
Quote from: VarajWhen a coma victim (nat head?) enter one of the objects the door closes for about 15 minutes. Upon coming out the victim describes being pressed to one wall and feeling a strange crawling sensation in their head.
Over the next few days they start having dreams of schematics, flashes of designs. Nothing complete and slightly different for each person that enters. Scans of their brain show that a larger nanite structure is forming in the base of the skull.
We would continue to experiment. We would find engineers who had been coma victims and try them in the objects. We would trust that the quest for knowledge is a good thing and hope that we have landed in a sci-fi movie and not a horror movie.
We would also start up extensive studies to try to determine if the coma victims were actually chosen at random, or if there is some characteristic that unites them all.
Quote from: RedcapWe would continue to experiment. We would find engineers who had been coma victims and try them in the objects. We would trust that the quest for knowledge is a good thing and hope that we have landed in a sci-fi movie and not a horror movie.
We would also start up extensive studies to try to determine if the coma victims were actually chosen at random, or if there is some characteristic that unites them all.
I'm with Redcap on this. Work with the new situation instead of fighting it to try and bring back the status quo.
I would try and get people to start building/drawing/conceputalzing that which they get flahes of.
Quote from: Xavier LangI'm with Redcap on this. Work with the new situation instead of fighting it to try and bring back the status quo.
I would try and get people to start building/drawing/conceputalzing that which they get flahes of.
Yes -- we are certianly not against fighting, but we see little point in trying to fight nanites. It would be exactly like trying to declare war on a disease: stupid.
Until we have more facts, we cannot intelligently seek to fight the nanites -- if we even need to do so.
Engineers that are allowed entry into the objects are able to identify the schematics as plans for various items; ceramics, plastics, vehicles, energy generation, medicine, etc. Each items or formulas is build able with current technologies but several leaps ahead of current capabilities.
Each person that enters also develops a nanite mass near the back of the neck. This mass starts broadcasting on two radio frequencies. One suited for long range communication and one suited for high bandwidth.
Have the engineers start building that which they can figure out.
The longer we have working examples, the more we can figure out.
The longer we have something the more time we have to make it our own as well.
Continue to work on keeping people calm and minimize panic/riots.
Start working on listening in on and decrypting both frequencies.
1. Use what is given.
2. Gather as much data as possible.
3. Try to understand as much as possible.
4. Continue guessing about what the end result is.
QuoteThis mass starts broadcasting on two radio frequencies.
All the world's radio antennas now have a new job: searching the cosmos for activity on those frequencies. As does the NSA.
The long range frequency doesn't appear to be much more than a ping.
The broadband frequency (much shorter range) appears to start full communications between two individuals as soon as they are in range. Large amounts of data is transmitted but is heavily encrypted.
It will take several people entering the objects before enough schematics become available for production.
With a directed effort at putting people into the objects and trying to coach them into giving schematics will start leap frogging human tech levels.
I would encourage the leapfrogging of tech and make sure it is spread around the world. I want as many people as possible creating devirations and filling out our tech level as we progress.
Keep people calm.
I"m seeing ways this could go really really badly, but I don't see an acceptable way to diverge or escape from the path we are being lead down yet.