⟪ it's interesting information, and she files it away. this world might not be a linear progression from the one angela is from, but still, this is as close to a quick overview of a potential sequence of developments she could otherwise only guess on. especially since she doubts the truth of it will be easily uncovered, considering the propaganda fest she just saw outside. ⟫
No, not technology. ⟪ well –– ⟫ Well, human influence is likely. Many pathogens jump the species barrier, but few follow that up with the genus, family, order, and class, especially not in short succession, not unless they had a helping, probably gene-splicing hand.
⟪ this? this is her element. this is what she has dedicated her waking life to, and it shows – though what most likely rings through is that she talks a little like a lecturer when she gets into it. ⟫ It's a fungus, previously only found in ants. One variant came along that managed to infect humans, transmitted via saliva, with an incubation time of only about six hours at the most. One moment you are dealing with a thinking human, the next moment, the fungus hotwires the brain, kills the host, and what's left is a shell that kicks the accelerator the moment it hears or scents any living thing it might consume. But I suppose you've seen a zombie flick before.
⟪ no need to get into the ghastly details. ⟫
We had about three years before global civilisation collapsed more or less in its entirety. We went back to more primitive, low maintenance technology. No holograms for us, but as long as no one moves the tower, we have radio transmission.
⟪ now, here's a tell that she's just said something that disturbs her on some level – one of her hands is resting on her knee, legs crossed, and she's tap-tap-tapping with her fingertips, suppressing the nervous agitation that comes at the last comment. here's the deal: contact with beacon ceased six months ago. and of course that's because the tower got moved and trying to send a signal now is like digging for a needle in a haystack.
there's no use in considering the alternative: that there's simply no one left to signal. ⟫
no subject
No, not technology. ⟪ well –– ⟫ Well, human influence is likely. Many pathogens jump the species barrier, but few follow that up with the genus, family, order, and class, especially not in short succession, not unless they had a helping, probably gene-splicing hand.
⟪ this? this is her element. this is what she has dedicated her waking life to, and it shows – though what most likely rings through is that she talks a little like a lecturer when she gets into it. ⟫ It's a fungus, previously only found in ants. One variant came along that managed to infect humans, transmitted via saliva, with an incubation time of only about six hours at the most. One moment you are dealing with a thinking human, the next moment, the fungus hotwires the brain, kills the host, and what's left is a shell that kicks the accelerator the moment it hears or scents any living thing it might consume. But I suppose you've seen a zombie flick before.
⟪ no need to get into the ghastly details. ⟫
We had about three years before global civilisation collapsed more or less in its entirety. We went back to more primitive, low maintenance technology. No holograms for us, but as long as no one moves the tower, we have radio transmission.
⟪ now, here's a tell that she's just said something that disturbs her on some level – one of her hands is resting on her knee, legs crossed, and she's tap-tap-tapping with her fingertips, suppressing the nervous agitation that comes at the last comment. here's the deal: contact with beacon ceased six months ago. and of course that's because the tower got moved and trying to send a signal now is like digging for a needle in a haystack.
there's no use in considering the alternative: that there's simply no one left to signal. ⟫