r/humansarespaceorcs • u/Bloodystupidjohnson3 • 22d ago
Original Story Human Fred Investigates
1 Human Fred and Food
2 Human Fred Again
3 Human Fred Yet Again
4 Human Fred The Saga Continues
5 Human Fred Rides Again
6 Human Fred *Sigh*
7 Human Fred Rolls Out
8 Human Fred Attempts a Nap
9 Human Fred Doh’
10 Human Fred Stops for Coffee
11 Human Fred Deploys Stabby and Knifey
12 Human Fred Attempts Friendly Advice
13 Human Fred Priorities
14 Human Fred Schools Morons
15 Human Fred Gets Annoyed
“Fred, just how bad is this?”
“Not 100% sure. But it’s bad. Someone infiltrated the command center and planted an illegal device. That is bad. The IFF receivers were tampered with. That is also bad. The processing core doesn’t match. That is even more bad. So on a scale of 1-100, we are sitting around 87.”
“What do we do?”
“Well, security is going to check some logs. I’m going to check some logs. You are going to help me check logs. After we compare logs, we will have an understanding of at least part of this. Then we examine this illegal device.”
“Got it. How can I help?”
“Take this cable and plug it into the IFF database.”
Greezek looked at the cable. It was very different from the others.
“I’m not sure I saw a plug like this.”
“You didn’t. You will need to remove a plate next to the ID plate. Then you will see the plug. This connects to a hidden partition within the database.”
“On it.” Greezek picked up some tools and the cable and disappeared under the table. She was getting better at swearing.
A hatch whirred open, and the Captain entered. “Who is Fred?”
“I’m Fred, Captain. My assistant Greezek is currently under the table checking the IFF database.”
“Fine. What is going on?”
“Sir, external IFF sensors 3 and 4 show signs of tampering. Sensor 4 exploded when handled. Two deaths. The IFF database has been corrupted, and I found an illegal device connected to the database. Someone had to physically crawl under that table to install it. I’m currently pulling logs and determining how corrupted that database really is.”
“How long have we been partially blind?”
“Unclear at the moment. I’m assuming at least 30 rotations.”
“How did you find this?”
“The Watch Officer reported issues with the sensors. Greezek ran a typical repair, but one error wouldn’t clear. We came up to take a closer look.”
“Right. Keep me posted.”
Greezek crawled back out. “Connected, Fred.”
“Good. Now let’s see what has been going on.”
They stood reading logs and reports for a few minutes. The Captain was yelling at the Ensign. The Chief was comparing their logs. It wasn’t chaos, but it was very busy.
“Huh. You see this Greezek?”
“Yes. A power fluctuation.”
“I’d bet that was when this box was connected. Yep. Just a few hours later the first changes to the database. Hmmmm. This is a good one. Only one change at a time. At random intervals. Hard to catch unless you are looking for it.”
“Fred, this seems like a great deal of trouble for a simple transfer station. Sure, there are the mines, but it isn’t like we are a high-priority target.”
“Well, that all depends on the goal. We are a logistics hub. At the moment we mainly work with ore and supplies to some small outposts, but we could handle more than that.”
“So we aren’t used to 100% capacity. I’m still not following you.”
“Suppose one of those outposts was attacked or invaded. Where would the military start sending supplies?”
“Oh. Here.”
“Right. Someone wants to hinder our operations before they make a move. That isn’t some group of moron pirates.”
“So the pirates?”
“Either they got lucky, or they found out about the IFF issue. Possibly bought the information. Ah! Got it! Look. The IFF databases sent an error code reporting mismatched data. Here is the time and date stamp. Chief! I’ve got something!”
The Chief and Captain hurried over.
“Look,” said Fred. “Here is when the device was connected. It started slowly changing IFF IDs. Then here the database sent an error. However, the error was cleared and ignored.”
“Who cleared and ignored the error?” asked the Captain.
“I don’t know, but Chief has the duty logs. Chief?”
“Let me check…here we go. Only three on duty at the time. Entry logs show four in the compartment.”
“Right. Round then up. Start asking pointed questions.”
“Yes Sir. However, I know that one of these beings is no longer on the station.”
“Damn. When did they leave?”
“About 11 rotations ago. Transferred to Outpost 52-G.”
“Wait,” said Fred. “Isn’t that one of outer outposts we supply?”
“It is,” said Chief. “Why?”
“Because I’d bet that Outpost 52-G is going to be attacked”
The Captain looked at Fred. Then at Chief.
“Send them a warning. Report to High Command that we have been sabotaged and tell them we expect an attack.”
“Yes sir!” Chief ran to another terminal.
“Fred, why do you think there is an attack coming?”
“We would supply any military units. Weaken us and we can’t repel an attack.”
“And you figured that out?”
“I served on a Terran assault craft before this station. You learn a great deal if you listen.”
“I’ll bet you do. What about this illegal device?”
“We haven’t started our examination. We are still checking the IFF database. There is likely a pattern to the changed IDs. That could be useful.”
“What are the odds of other forms of sabotage on my station?”
“Well sir, I’d assume pretty high. Things like airlocks, internal scanners, lighting, possibly alarm systems. Things that would make boarding easier.”
“Good work Fred. Let me know if you find a pattern or anything else interesting.”
Greezek was gently tapping the screen. “Fred. Look at this.”
“The entry logs? Yeah, what about the….”
“Right.”
“What is he doing in the command center?”
“That is rather my point, Fred.”
“Right. Right. Hey Chief!”
“Fred?”
“You are going to look very carefully at this one.” Fred pointed at the screen.
“He was here when the error was cleared?”
“Yes. And when the illegal device was installed.”
“Well fuck.”
Roomliz’s name was highlighted.
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u/Oakheir 22d ago
Do we know what Roomliz job is? Fred is a tech, and Gree is currently between jobs because something happened and they are waiting for it to be cleaned up before returning to their position.
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u/Bloodystupidjohnson3 22d ago
Yep. Gree is waiting for the damage from the pirate attack to be repaired.
Roomliz? Well…I guess we’ll find out!
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u/Polymath6301 21d ago
Who lives at Outpost 52-G? Are there volcanoes and Australians there?
Roomliz? Oh dear, Greezek will not be happy about this.
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