With thanks to Tim and Alana McCleerey for their inspiration and to Anita Madson for her helpful inputs.

All of the known sapient species contribute something to the galaxy. The Gilgot are the interstellar traders. The Xx can manufacture anything. The Setow establish communication between species.

Sometimes a new species provides something the galaxy didn't know it needed. This is particularly true in the case of the AI the humans on Luna provide. Who knew we needed a machine that could mimic sapient thought? I personally don't use AI a lot, but I have to admit it provides a much better search engine than what the galaxy was using prior to encountering the Lunars.

Because AI is their major contribution, and because AI takes a LOT of energy, Luna is all about energy production. Each of the City-States has a field of solar generators on the surface. These generate a lot of energy during the 14 days each month of Lunar daylight, but are not so useful during the 14 days of Lunar night. Batteries store energy to even out the supply.

But Luna also has a nuclear power plant. It was relocated from the mining facilities on Earth-side when the Original Settlers first arrived. It provides the energy for the AI now used by virtually all sapient species.

Because there are actually few inhabitants on Luna (the last estimate is under 4500 humans), they have more energy than they actually need, a situation quite rare in the galaxy... it's too bad they can't trade ENERGY to the other sapients... I suppose they could trade batteries... they just aren't doing it. Yet.

When I was living on my home planetoid, Lia4, energy was not readily available and was strictly rationed. It is heating that uses energy, not light so much, so while our buildings were (frugally) lighted, they were always cold (we joked that that is why Uralians evolved feathers: while Uralia was tropical, the Powers Ruling the Universe knew we would end up on Lia4 and would need feathers to stay warm...) and we developed a local cuisine emphasizing raw foods. Now, using some of the funds from SafeGuard taxes (no longer paid to Uralia) the Lian government has installed more solar generators on Lia4 so we can increase the heat to mimic our traditional tropical climate.

But on Luna, energy is used profligately. And we are all gathered to view an example of this profligacy.

Lt. Forbes and Dr. Madison have a neighbor, Tim, who decorates his home annually for the holiday called Halloween. Tim's daughter, Alana, plans the design, and the family works for about six weeks prior to the day to install spooky lights, scary figures, unearthly sounds to celebrate the holiday. The haunted house includes so many lights, the "sky" over Luna actually glows orange and purple over Tim's neighborhood. We can hear the spooky sounds (dimly) as far away as the Lian Embassy.

Halloween seems to be a celebration of the supernatural. Dr. Madison tells us that on this day the boundary between the living and dead was believed to blur. The idea is to get scared.

On Uralia, we have nothing like this. And the only thing that scares us is stellar expansion. And the Great and Sacred Leader (who I refer to irreverently as OGASL). Maybe I could talk Tim into including a figure of OGASL in his display... surely an angry orange raptor would be an appropriate addition?

City-States settled by people from America celebrate this holiday; others not so much or not at all. But EVERYONE from the connected Cities tries to get to Luna City sometime during late October to see Tim and Alana's masterpiece. These visitors are called "trekkers." Transports to Luna City do a booming business. Luna City hotels and restaurants are packed. The new Last Arrival Monument and Luna City Original Settlers Freedom Museum have also become popular destinations for trekkers this year. Dr. Madison is hoping this will inspire other Cities to create their own museums.

There is a citizen in New Chicago that does something similar for a holiday a couple of months later in December called Christmas. Everyone treks to that display, also, and New Chicago businesses prosper.

This evening, Clmntr, Lnbršr, Yaeyeia, the Xx (finally out of dormancy) and I are enjoying a ten foot human skeleton dancing and cackling at us when I notice Lt. Forbes skimmer screech to a halt in front of his house next door. He hops out and pulls out a loudspeaker.

"Attention! Attention, everyone! There is a Luna-wide medical emergency, and the Luna Planetary Government is requesting that everyone return to their homes immediately for lockdown. More information will be provided as soon as it becomes available."

I notice everyone is pulling out buzzing com units.

A medical emergency? Lockdown? I'm not sure what "lockdown" means.

We return reluctantly to our vehicles, humans and xenos. No one seems panicked; no one seems scared; everyone is just puzzled, and disappointed to be leaving the haunted house.

***

Clmntr, Lnbršr and I are in the kitchen in the apartments floor of the Lian Embassy. Kitty is snubbing us: "Where WERE you? I went looking for you - and you weren't THERE! I thought you were gone FOREVER!"

Lnbršr has his com on the table on "speaker."

"New Princeton reports two deaths from a presently-unidentified disease authorities are calling NP1. Deaths occurred quickly - within 8 hours of initial diagnosis. Symptoms include headache, dizziness, coughing, progressing to wheezing, inability to breathe. At present we do not know how contagion occurs. There is, at present, no successful treatment. Anyone with symptoms should contact their local medical facility for advice on what actions should be taken."

"I just hope THIS time it's not something Uralian..." Lnbršr sighs.

Clmntr and I nod. We've been Mgrfs for long enough - it's time for the jinx to be broken.

***

It's morning, Day 2344. The first full day of lockdown.

Kitty is speaking to us again. But she's upset that Lnbršr is still here. She likes him a lot, but cats like things to be predictable.

"Lockdown" - a concept well-known to the humans resettled from 21st-century Earth, has been explained for the benefit of us ignorant xenos. Everyone has to stay in their homes until further notice. Travel - especially between cities, but even unnecessary movement between buildings - is banned. The trekkers must stay in Luna City. Essential services like utilities maintenance, medical care, and food delivery will be handled by robots and humans in hazmat suits (which may or may not prevent contamination...)

By evening, NP1 has caused three more deaths: one in New Toronto, two more in New Princeton. Humans with symptoms are flooding hospitals and medical facilities in all of the City-States. New Luna has broken radio silence with New Haifa - they report no deaths, cases, or symptoms. Perhaps isolation IS the best safety? New Gaza and the unidentified third unconnected City are not responding. So far the evidence points to a highly-contagious, fast-acting, deadly disease that requires some sort of contact (touching? breathing? eating? drinking?) to spread.

Naturally, this has to happen when all of Luna (except residents of the three unconnected Cities) is coming to Luna City.

Trekkers are stuck in Luna City, hopefully in hotel rooms, but some are camping in their vehicles. Persons who have no hotel room or vehicle are being housed in the Smedley Center or the Relaxation Station.

Transport between the Cities is banned; the tunnels are closed and being irradiated with UVC light. UVC cannot be used in inhabited areas: UVC kills plants (hide, Yaeyeia!) and causes cancer and blindness among other species, sapient and sentient. Probably Uralians, too. Possibly the Xx would not be negatively affected by UVC, but I haven't asked them, and AI was unclear when I asked.

***

By the next morning, day 2 of lockdown, the first death is reported in Luna City. On Luna as a whole, a total of 7 deaths have been recorded. Medical practitioners (in hazmat suits) are treating people in hospitals, homes, on the streets. Medical researchers (assisted by AI) are frantically trying to identify the disease and find some treatment or preventative. The Lunar Center for Disease Control is recommending wearing a face mask and gloves and taking vitamin C.

Religious leaders are recommending prayer.

Lnbršr is staying at the Embassy rather than risk travelling back to his apartment, although we have no idea whether Uralians are susceptible to this disease or not. So far, none of the xenos on Luna have exhibited symptoms - we're in constant contact with each other. Neither pets nor wild creatures in the Lunar ecosystem seem to have been affected. Perhaps only humans are vulnerable?

Our Aides Wan and Juan are in their own homes. Who knows when we will see them again? We contact them via our office com - both are safe; their families are asymptomatic. So far...

Dr. Madison reports she and her three children are all OK. She is very worried about her husband. The Lieutenant is on duty relocating homeless people to emergency centers. He says he will not return home until he is sure he is not bringing the disease to his family.

People are beginning to panic...

Panicked people do stupid things...

Desperate trekkers have attempted to pry open the (sealed) doors to the tunnels trying to return to their homes.

Lnbršr gets an alert on his com: his transport (in the docks) is being attacked. He calls Law Enforcement - they are already on their way.

Investigation shows trekkers have entered the docks and attempted to break into the transports there: two police transports, Lnbršr's transport, even the three elderly (probably non-working) transports that brought the Original Settlers to Luna City.

The Lunar Center for Disease Control tries to calm everyone. They recommend washing your hands with soap and disinfecting surfaces with isopropyl alcohol.

That may be the science, but no one is reassured...

At the end of the day, the Center for Disease Control reports a total of 10 deaths from NP1.

***

"On the third day of lockdown my true love sent to me..."

People are coming up with their own ways of coping with the panic. A funny song, classes for children offered via their com, com business meetings, com folk dancing.

In Luna City, everyone (including us) steps outside at 7:00pm and pounds on pots and pans, blows whistles, yells. Total bedlam lasts for one minute. Everyone yells one last time and then goes back inside. It really helps let off steam.

The police have traced all of the victims of NP1 to an event at the New Princeton Governor's Palace six weeks ago. (New Princeton calls their elected leader "the Governor," and this person lives in a "Palace." In Luna City, this person is called "the Mayor" and lives in a "Residence.")

Clmntr and I attended this event! Perhaps we are immune to NP1? Or perhaps it just has a longer incubation period for Uralians than for humans?

I am chatting with Yaeyeia on the com. You might think she would be the least vulnerable being on Luna, but plants and animals can be vulnerable to the same types of pathogens like bacteria, fungi, and viruses.

"All of the xeno Ambassadors were at New Princeton. Except, of course, the Ratihinaconaxemuwezo. But none of us have symptoms or have died. Maybe only humans are vulnerable to this," she hypothesizes.

"Or maybe we'll all be dead next week," I comment darkly.

Clmntr throws Kitty's catnip mouse at me. "Hush!" she commands.

I hush.

At the end of the day, the Center for Disease Control announces 19 total deaths from NP1.

***

"On the fourth day of lockdown, my true love sent to me..."

People are joking about the 100th day of lockdown. Once, apparently, on Earth a lockdown in Argentina lasted 234 days, not a country any Lunars came from. In America, ancestral home of Luna City Settlers, it lasted 60 days. But it was about a year before a vaccine was developed and even longer before most people could be immunized.

Still, with the identification of Ground Zero for the original infection (the New Princeton Governor's Palace event,) the police there are questioning everyone and testing everything at that location, although they are not quite sure what they are looking for.

At the end of the day, the Center for Disease Control announces 33 total deaths from NP1.

***

On day 5, the Center for Disease Control announces that scientists (aided by AI) have determined the pathogen is a virus, not of human origin.

"Please let it NOT be Uralian!" cries Lnbršr.

We are discovering that 5 uninterrupted days with the same beings, no matter how much you like them, can be trying. Wan and Juan had installed a ping-pong table and a pool table in our new basement facilities, and we are glad of them now. Pool can be played by yourself. Ping-pong can be played violently. Both are therapeutic.

It is actually hard for us (with our claws) to hold the things we are supposed to hit the balls with, so we are just hitting them with our hands. That seems to work.

Kitty has given up on the idea that things will ever be "normal" again. But she enjoys sitting on the pool table and rolling the balls around, especially when someone is trying to play. She also likes chasing the ping-pong balls when we miss.

At the end of the day, the Center for Disease Control announces 54 total deaths from NP1.

***

On day 6, now that they know what they are looking for, the New Princeton police (not aided by AI) find traces of the pathogen in the Palace. They also find a record of a transport delivery to New Princeton the day before the event. They are contacting the Gilgot Department of Trade for specifics on the transport and delivery. They are being ignored.

The Lunar Center for Disease Control, in collaboration with the Galactic Center for Health, announces that the pathogen is Kaladian - one of the aquatic sapient species.

"NOT Uralian!" cheers Lnbršr, relieved.

"Kalad is famous for having some of the best wine in the galaxy," Clmntr informs us.

"Did we have Kaladian wine at the event?" I ask.

"We did," she assures me. "The Governor made a special effort to brag about it."

She calls Lt. Forbes on the com.

He calls New Princeton.

New Princeton (again without the aid of AI, or the Gilgot Department of Trade) finds the remains of a wooden crate, probably used for shipping wine ("Kalad Wine" was printed in Gilgot script on some of the wooden slats,) in the Palace recycling.

They contact the Gilgot Department of Trade more urgently.

They finally get a response.

The Lunar Center for Disease Control contacts Kalad.

At the end of the day, the Center for Disease Control announces 91 total deaths from NP1.

That is the same number of Original Settlers who arrived in New Princeton 60 years ago.

***

On day 7, the Center for Disease Control announces that we finally know fairly well what the pathogen is and how it came to be on Luna.

Kalad has been having an epidemic of Yarlik disease for about a year now. Yarlik is not fatal for Kaladians; for them, it is more like a human "cold." Which is pretty miserable for an aquatic species. Most likely, ANYTHING originating from Kalad will have Yarlik virus on it; it's endemic to Kalad.

One of the traders on the Gilgot transport, the one who actually loaded the crate, had symptoms while enroute to Luna. Because Yarlik triggers few antibodies and they don't last long, it is possible we will never know if the trader had Yarlik, but she is being tested just in case something can be found definitively.

When deliveries arrive on Luna, they are SUPPOSED to be irradiated with UVC to (hopefully) kill anything on the surface that might have been transmitted. However, certain exceptions are made for organics that might be damaged by UVC.

The Governor was concerned that his pricey, pretentious wine might be affected, so he ordered it not to be irradiated. While the bottles themselves were washed with soap in the kitchen, the crate was not. It was just opened and then tossed in the recycling.

The person who unloaded the crate from the transport had symptoms 10 days ago, but did not die. The delivery agent died yesterday. The cook at the palace was the first person to die. Possibly the cook did not wash his hands sufficiently, or he touched something before washing his hands, or maybe the crate sat on a counter which dishes were then placed on. The infection spread via the dishes or even the food served at the event.

"I'm never eating anything not from our own kitchen," Clmntr announces.

"We get delivery," I point out.

"We'll radiate it," she declares.

After the initial infections, the virus mutated to fit the human lifestyle. It became transmissible through human touch on any surface.

(Finally the Center for Disease Control gloves mandate makes some sense!)

In humans, it seems the incubation period is about five to six weeks. It seems to be fatal in about 95% of cases.

>eek!<

The Kaladians are sending the vaccine via Gilgot transport. (Probably it will arrive contaminated with Yarlik!) And transport will take 8 days!

>double eek!<

And it probably won't be suitable for humans and will have to be adapted after it arrives. That could take months.

>triple eek eek eek!<

It's what humans call the double-edged sword: good news that we now know what it is, where it came from, how it's transmitted followed by bad news that it won't go away any time soon.

At the end of day 7 of lockdown, the Center for Disease Control announces 139 total deaths from NP1.

For a planet that has fewer than 4500 inhabitants, this could be existential.

***

"On the fourteenth day of lockdown, my true love sent to me...THE VACCINE!"

The vaccine arrives in 7 days (yay, Gilgot!)

One of the scientists had an intuition as to how to easily adapt the vaccine to humans which turned out to be the correct solution (yay, scientists!) Sufficient vaccine for the entire Lunar population (minus the unconnected cities) was available within three days.

Humans are immunized quickly and efficiently. Dr. Madison tells me that being the descendants of scientists who fled Earth during the anti-science era, no one is anti-vax. I have no idea what that is, but it sounds like a good thing in this situation.

Because none of the xenos have shown vulnerability, the vaccine is not adapted to any of our species.

The Cities (even New Petrograd) schedule an additional "rain" to help wash the virus from any exterior surfaces. The Center for Disease Control recommends everyone sanitize all interior surfaces "just to be safe."

Although we don't feel the Center for Disease Control has covered themselves with glory in this situation, we wash the Embassy to ensure it will be safe for human visitors and our Aides. Luckily we hadn't brought any germs back from the original event to infect them!

The official number dead from NP1 totals 487, all humans. No xeno seems to have gotten NP1. It begins to look as if the Gilgot trader who had symptoms was sick from some other disease - we'll probably never know.

New Haifa was unaffected; the other unconnected cities are still not communicating.

The total population of Luna is reduced by about 11%.

It's hard to believe, but it could have been so much worse.

Tim goes on the evening ComNews to tell us how his daughter Alana has been devastated - thinking their haunted house could have helped spread the virus. She is now relieved that, since it originated in New Princeton and is spread by touch, it seems they did not in any way contribute to the epidemic except possibly by bringing people from all the Cities together.

The trekkers (vaccinated and relieved) begin to go home through the now-open tunnels. Happily, before leaving Luna City, some return to the haunted house (although Halloween is now over two weeks past) to show support for Tim and Alana and ensure there will be no hesitation to attend on future Halloweens.

Lt. Forbes finally feels (after a shower) that it is safe to return to his home and family.

Everyone is analyzing what happened - both with each other and internally. Dr. Madison tells us that after a couple of pandemics on Earth, everyone was scared, but mostly trying to put it out of their minds. These scary events were mostly forgotten by history. She is going to include an exhibit in the museum so we DON'T forget.

As a scientist myself, one thing I found interesting and worth analyzing was the use of AI in solving this crisis. The police used AI very little - their contribution was mostly "boots on the ground" as humans say. The scientists used AI more, but much of what they discovered required inspiration and intuition that a machine cannot mimic (yet, at least...) So, while I personally still use AI mostly as a search engine, I can see it is a helpful tool for humans to use to solve problems, but maybe not (yet!) able to be trusted to solve problems on its own.

I'm just glad we did not have to spend 234 days in lockdown...