Chapter Four

23 February 3160

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[1] Opening Day – February 20th, 3160 [2] Day Two – February 21st, 3160 [3] Day Three – February 22nd, 3160 [4] Day Four – February 23rd, 3160 [5] Day Ten – February 29th, 3160 [6] Day Fifteen – March 5th, 3160 [7] Day Thirty-One – March 21st, 3160 [8] Problem – June 3rd, 3160 [9] One Year! – March 1st, 3161 [10] Evelyn – April 19th, 3161 [11] Two Years! – March 1st, 3162 [12] Three Years – March 1st, 3163 [13] Engine Shutdown – October 28th, 3163 [14] Technical Issues – December 24th, 3163 [15] Four Years – February 29th, 3164 [16] Celebration – March 15th, 3164 [17] Disease – July 30th, 3164 [18] Revelation – September 23rd, 3164 [19] Deaths – December 31st, 3164 [20] Five Years – March 1st, 3165 [21] Last Log – April 3rd, 3165

 

Accessing Day Four – February 23^rd, 3160

 

            Adam Smith is at his desk again. As he has been everyday thus far, the man is clean-shaven and wearing casual business attire. “It’s day four of the Oasis project, and everything has gone as close to perfect as we could hope. Everyone’s settled in peacefully, and we’ve only experienced a few breakdowns in public.” He frowns, “They really hate the fact that all of their relatives will be dead soon. To be honest, I don’t much like that either.

            “Everyone out there is under my protection. Doesn’t that mean that I should be watching out for their well-being as well? I was an only child, my parents have both passed on, and I’m here with my wife Evelyn. I can’t even sympathize with my own people. And yet, every time I walk outside our home, I see them. They look at me with those eyes, so full of gratitude toward me for just giving them a glimmer of hope.”

            He runs a hand through his short, dark hair. “I just feel like I owe them more. They’re all such good people, and I can’t give them a chance to be with their families. It’s hard. Especially now, while those families are still alive out there. I’m sure I’ll get over it eventually, but at the moment, I have a chance to do something. But I can’t, because that would mean kicking others out. I can’t do that.

            “That’s all on that, though,” he straightens up again, his face going back to a neutral countenance. There’s still a slight underlying showing of sadness though. “I really got to meet with all of the residents last night. They’re in a range of ages from five to fifty. Evelyn and I held a gathering last night at our home here, and most of the residents were able to attend. Luckily, we have a lot of space in the residential district where we can house all 2000.

            “There are some amazing people here, that’s for sure.” Smith’s face brightens suddenly as he remembers a certain person. “Doctor Kearney, for instance. He graduated from Harvard with a doctorate in Theology and Ministry. He got one of the individual homes, and converted it into a church to God. We spoke on many things. He’s a genius. Knows everything about religion.

            “You know,” Smith leans forward, “he told me that faith in God was slipping terribly a long time ago. You look back at history, and you’d think that they would have to believe in a higher power, what with how little they knew. How ‘primitive’ their cultures were. This was back around the turn of the twenty-first, he said.

            “A lot of bad things were happening then. Of course, this was before we’d been able to install the foresight chips into peoples’ minds. Nobody was able to read anybody’s intentions, and a lot of bad people got in power. They effectively turned the western hemisphere into a temple to atheism. It wasn’t for another one hundred years that the underground Christians, Jews, and Muslims were able to band together and overthrow the regime.

            “He’s got all sorts of amazing stories like that. Of course, he’s a Christian minister, preaching the word of God as said by Jesus Christ. Forty-seven years old. Not too much older than I am.

            “There’s another person I met, this artist girl by the name of Dreaxanla Chabbu. While she was born in the American Confederacy, her parents, Nad and Nicone, were from some foreign country. She told me the name of the country, but I’d never heard of it, and probably couldn’t pronounce it to you now if I remembered it. It took me all night to remember her and her parents’ names.

            “She does all sorts of fancy paintings and drawings. Sells them for money. I can imagine her doing all sorts of beautiful works in here, reminding people of the outside, and also bringing out some of the beauty of Oasis itself. Hopefully, with her influence, and the fact that she’s only seventeen –plenty of life left- Oasis will become a much more cultured and beautiful place. 

            “She also told me she was getting married to this other guy who got in. Thank God they both made it. I’d have hated for her to have gotten separated from her fiancé. He’s a novelist. I don’t remember his name, but I’ll be sure to ask Drea the next time I talk to her. Veond, I think it was. Yes, that was it. Veond Meflign. His parents were from the same area, obviously.

            “There were many more people who were equally interesting, and who will bring a lot to this little culture house, but I don’t have time to name them all. Over the next few years, I hope to meet with each one personally and learn a lot about them.

            “Let’s see,” he looks over to his computer. “No problems to report with Oasis, and the rock problem from yesterday has been cleared up. Pressure sensors all around the walls of Oasis are reporting normal pressure. Nothing this structure can’t handle. We should be making it through easily.

            “Eve was telling me yesterday that she was thinking of kids. I’m not sure I could handle another responsibility just yet. I told her that, and she seemed kind of disappointed. I can’t blame her. If I had something I really wanted, and it was on a level like children, then I’d probably be disappointed to have it shot down as well. Nevertheless, I told her I’d love to have kids sometime, but I just wasn’t ready yet. I’m not sure that that was the right answer. 

            “Of course, I’m reaching a point in my life where, if I want kids, I better get after it. I’m 42 years old right now. If we had them this year, then I’d be 60 by the time the child was an adult. Not a bad age, but I’d rather be around for a while. Maybe I’ll go along with her and try. Yeah,” he brightens visibly, “It’ll be nine months after we conceive before the kid is born. Surely, by that time, we’ll have things underway here. Let’s see… nine months from February is… November. Or early December, seeing as how long it takes.

            “Anyway, I’m going to go tell her that. I think we’ve had enough of a transmission for today. Fourth transmission over.”

 

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Reviews

[Yana Larson]

In this log entry, Adam Smith shows a more personal side, reflecting on his role as the leader of Oasis and the complex emotions that come with it. The overarching theme is his struggle with the responsibility of managing the project while grappling with the sacrifices made by the residents, especially regarding the separation from their families. He seems to feel a heavy burden, as though he owes the residents more than just shelter and safety, but also the chance to be with their loved ones. His melancholy and the pressure of his leadership are clearly weighing on him.

The interactions he has with other residents bring some lighter moments to the log, particularly his meeting with Doctor Kearney, a theological scholar, and Dreaxanla Chabbu, an artist with dreams of making Oasis more beautiful and culturally rich. These details help flesh out the inhabitants of Oasis as more than just survivors—they have their own hopes and aspirations. This adds a layer of richness to the world of Oasis, making it feel like a community, not just a refuge.

Smith also discusses his personal life, particularly his wife Evelyn's desire to have children, which contrasts with the weight of his responsibilities. This offers insight into his private struggles, showing that even in a place like Oasis, where survival is paramount, there are still personal desires and dreams. His internal conflict about whether or not to have children—given his age and the uncertainty of the future—is another subtle layer of the narrative, reinforcing the emotional stakes at play for him.

Overall, this log entry continues to explore the tension between the physical and emotional challenges of living in Oasis, providing glimpses into Smith's leadership role, his relationships with the residents, and his own personal journey.